TrueHome Kenya List

How to do a land search in Kenya

TrueHome Kenya · Updated 23 October 2026

An official land search is the single most important check before you buy land or a house in Kenya. It tells you who the government records show as the owner, and whether the land has loans, cautions or disputes against it.

What you need

  • The title number or LR / parcel number of the land (ask the seller for a copy of the title deed).
  • Your National ID and KRA PIN, to register on the government portal.
  • The search fee, payable by M-Pesa or card. It is a small official fee (around KSh 500–1,000 at the time of writing); check the exact amount on the portal.

Step by step

  1. Find the right portal. Land registries in Nairobi and a growing number of counties are on Ardhisasa. Others use the Ministry of Lands services on eCitizen or a manual search at the county land registry.
  2. Register or log in with your ID number, KRA PIN, phone and email.
  3. Enter the parcel or title number exactly as it appears on the title. One wrong digit returns a different parcel.
  4. Pay the fee and keep the receipt.
  5. Download the search certificate when it is ready, usually within a few working days.

What the search certificate shows

  • The registered owner, which must match the seller's ID exactly.
  • Encumbrances: charges (bank loans), cautions, caveats, restrictions or court orders.
  • The size of the parcel, which should match what you are being sold.

Red flags

  • The owner's name doesn't match the seller, or the seller is "selling for a relative".
  • There is a charge, caution or restriction on the title.
  • The seller refuses to share the title number or asks you to skip the search "to save time".
  • The size or location on the search doesn't match the land you were shown.

Beyond the search

A clean search is necessary but not enough on its own. Before paying, also:

  • Hire an advocate to handle the sale agreement and transfer; never pay the full price directly to the seller before transfer.
  • Ask a licensed surveyor to confirm the beacons on the ground match the map.
  • For agricultural land, confirm whether Land Control Board consent is needed; for married sellers, ask about spousal consent.
  • Check rates and rent are paid up with the county.

Landlords who are Verified on TrueHome Kenya have had their ownership checked against an official search. Look for the badge and confirm its code under Check a badge.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees and procedures change; always confirm on the official portals or with an advocate.