A silent crisis grips Nairobi’s upscale neighborhoods including Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Jamhuri, and Lavington. Fake real estate agents now con both locals and foreigners searching for rental homes.
As more expatriates and returning Kenyans enter the city, rental demand keeps rising. Fraudsters rush to exploit the booming property market. Desperate house hunters fall into traps through online and in-person scams.
Scammers use a simple but effective trick. They post attractive house photos online, pretending to be real landlords or agents. After building trust, they demand deposits, hand out fake keys, or disappear completely once they receive the money.
Titus Ouma Opondo, a teacher from Jamhuri, lost Ksh 30,000 while searching for a rental home.
“The man looked genuine. He showed me the house and even gave me a receipt. But when I came to move in, another person was already living there,” Titus says.
Many residents now approach online rentals with fear and caution. Beatrice Mwangi, an estate agent in Kilimani, blames the crisis on unregistered property agents.
“There are no strict regulations. Anyone can claim to be an agent. The government should register all agents so tenants can identify genuine ones,” she explains.
Robert Wanga, who works with an international organization in Kileleshwa, says scammers often target foreigners.
“They think foreigners pay higher rent. I sent a two-month deposit through mobile money before signing the lease. Later, I found out the house didn’t exist. It was painful,” Robert recalls.
Rising Demand Fuels Real Estate Fraud
The growing demand for housing pushes genuine landlords to favor short-term or dollar-based leases. This shift raises rent for locals and opens more opportunities for con artists to operate.
Community forums and housing groups now flood daily with warnings about fake listings. Property expert Dr. Samuel Karanja warns that the trend could damage Nairobi’s real estate reputation.
“If this continues, people will lose trust in online rentals. Authorities must verify all property listings before they go public,” he says.
Police urge tenants to stay alert. They advise verifying documents through the Ministry of Housing and meeting landlords face-to-face before making any payment.
Nairobi’s population keeps growing, and housing demand climbs daily. But so does the risk of falling victim to fake agents who promise dream homes that don’t exist.
