A mother and her daughter have been arrested over allegations of orchestrating a Sh40 million land fraud scheme involving valuable family property in Karatina, Nyeri County.
Detectives from the Land Fraud Investigation Unit (LFIU) apprehended Mary Muthoni Njogu and her daughter, Veronica Wambui Ng’ang’a, following investigations into the alleged fraudulent transfer of several parcels of land belonging to their family.
The investigation began after a family member, acting on behalf of his siblings, lodged a complaint alleging that the two suspects had unlawfully caused valuable family properties to be transferred into their names and those of companies associated with them.
According to investigators, the disputed parcels are collectively estimated to be worth approximately Sh40 million, making the matter one of the significant land-related fraud cases currently under investigation in the area.
Secret land transfers
Investigations by the LFIU reportedly established that the alleged transactions were carried out between 2020 and 2023.
During this period, the suspects are accused of facilitating the transfer of the family properties without the knowledge or involvement of other family members who allegedly had an interest in the land.
The detectives reportedly uncovered a series of transactions that resulted in the properties being registered in the names of the suspects and entities linked to them.
The alleged exclusion of other beneficiaries from the transactions became a key issue in the investigation, with detectives examining how the ownership changes were effected and whether the relevant documents and procedures were lawfully obtained.
Land ownership disputes involving family property can become particularly complex where several beneficiaries have interests in inherited or jointly held parcels.
Such cases often require investigators to scrutinise title documents, transfer records, company ownership details and the circumstances under which consent was obtained.
Case reaches ODPP
After completing their investigations, detectives forwarded the case file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for consideration.
Following a review of the evidence presented by investigators, the ODPP directed that the two suspects face charges of Conspiracy to Defraud and Fraudulent Procurement of Title.
The directives paved the way for the arrest of the mother and daughter as investigators moved to have the allegations formally presented before a court.
Mary Muthoni Njogu and Veronica Wambui Ng’ang’a were arrested on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
They are expected to be arraigned before the Karatina Law Courts on Wednesday, August 19, where they will be formally presented with the charges.
Land fraud remains a major concern
The case comes amid continued concerns over fraudulent land transactions in Kenya, where disputes over ownership, forged documents, illegal transfers and fraudulent acquisition of titles have remained a persistent challenge.
Land is among the most valuable forms of property for many Kenyan families, and fraudulent changes in ownership can result in prolonged court battles and significant financial losses for affected individuals.
Authorities have increasingly relied on specialised investigative units to pursue cases involving suspected manipulation of land records and fraudulent acquisition of titles.
For the Karatina family at the centre of the latest investigation, the court process is now expected to shed more light on how the disputed properties were transferred and whether the accused persons acted unlawfully.
The mother and daughter will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations in court, and they remain innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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