Encounter with devil’s agents

By Victoria Nyambura

I had stayed in USA for 25 years and all through I worked hard to save money to buy property in Kenya. I decided to buy land in Nakuru town where my parents live.

After two weeks since my return from USA, I called my sister and asked her to get me a nice plot in a prime area within Nakuru town.

She said she had a friend who was a property agent whom she described as trustworthy and efficient. We decided to meet this agent. Our first meeting was in a hotel.

"Meet John a registered estate agent. He will get you the property you want," my sister said.

"Nice to meet you," John said as we shook hands.

After a brief conversation, he went straight to the point.

"I have several undeveloped plots in Naka area. I have been mandated by the owners to sell them. They are going for Shl.5m per a quarter acre plot," he said. Satisfied this was the right person to deal with, I asked him to show me the land.

He called a taxi and off we went to see the property. On arrival, he produced a big map and pointed at where the plot was. It was easily accessible and I quickly agreed to buy it.
We then left the area and went to his office in town.

At his office, we met a charming secretary who greeted me nicely. "Meet my secretary, she is Judy," he introduced her. "Judy, this lady stays in America and is interested in buying property in Nakuru."

As he ushered me into his office, I realised it had cheap furniture. We were asked to sit on old wooden chairs.

John opened his drawer and retrieved some documents relating to the plot. The documents included a photocopy of the title deed, a search form from the lands office and a letter from the owner, a Mr Kinyua, granting him authority to sell the said plot. I perused them keenly.
After a week, John called to inform me that the owner had promised to come over to Nakuru to conclude the deal. I was summoned to his office when the owner arrived. We met with an old man who was introduced to me as the owner.

Sealing the deal

"Mzee Kinyua has arrived from Murang’a. He is ready to sell the plot. He has come with the original title deed," John said as he handed over the document to me. I perused the original title deed and confirmed that it was genuine. "He says that he wants to be paid Sh1.5 million in cash upon execution of the agreement," he said.

I asked them to give me two hours to get the money. I then rushed to the bank and withdrew the cash. I came back and found them still waiting. We then agreed to go to a lawyer and draw an agreement. As we walked to the lawyer’s office, I noticed the old man had difficulties walking owing to his age. He was, however, accompanied by a man who he introduced to us as his son. When the agreement was drawn, the old man affixed his thumbprint while I appended my signature on it. I handed the money to the old man in the presence of the lawyer.

The old man was impressed and quipped in Kikuyu" ni cigana icio mwana wakwa (how much is this my son?)" as he handed over the money to his son to count. When the counting was complete, I was handed over the original title deed and other necessary documents. I paid the advocate’s fee of Sh8,000, the agent’s commission of Shl50,000 and I left proud of my achievement.
I went back home and informed my parents that I had purchased a plot.

I was due to return to USA in a month so I decided to erect a perimeter wall. I thought that while back in USA, I could send my mother money to put up a nice house on my behalf.

Troubling discovery

After three weeks, I decided to go and show my parents the plot. To my horror, we found a big lorry unloading building stones. I approached the man who was in charge and asked him what he was doing in my plot.

My dad almost rained blows on him, but I restrained him. That man told us that the plot was his and that he has not sold it to anybody. I was shocked. I asked him whether he had a title and which he confirmed he had.

We then rushed to the agent’s office immediately to investigate. I was shocked to find an empty office with a notice pinned on the door reading "office to let".

I enquired from the neighbouring office where the agent had relocated to but no one answered me.

I then decided to rush to the lawyer who had executed the sale agreement. To my dismay, the office was empty too.

I decided to call them on their mobile phones but their phones had been switched off.

It was then that I realised that I had been conned my hard
earned money, which I had worked for day and night in USA doing odd jobs. I am still pursuing the case with the police.