7 Things to Consider Before Investing in Land in Kenya
Buying land is a major financial decision. Whether you are purchasing your first plot, looking for agricultural land, planning to build a home or buying property for future development, taking time to understand the property and its location can help you make a more informed decision.
Land has several possible uses in Kenya, including residential, agricultural and commercial purposes. The 2023/24 Kenya Housing Survey reported that land parcels were predominantly used for agriculture and residential purposes.
But buying land should not be based on price alone.
Before investing, there are several important factors that every buyer should consider.
1. Consider the Location
Location is one of the first things to consider when buying land.
Two plots of exactly the same size can have very different values depending on where they are located.
When evaluating a location, consider factors such as:
- Accessibility
- Distance from major roads
- Nearby towns and shopping centres
- Schools and healthcare facilities
- Availability of water and electricity
- Existing settlements
- Agricultural activity
- Infrastructure development
- Future development around the area
A location that is difficult to access today may also present different opportunities and challenges from one that already has established infrastructure.
Before buying, visit the actual property instead of relying entirely on photographs, maps or descriptions.
[INSERT IMAGE HERE: Photo showing a road leading to a land project]
Image caption: Accessibility is one of the factors buyers should consider when evaluating a piece of land.
2. Understand What You Want to Use the Land For
Before buying land, ask yourself a simple question:
What do I want to do with this land?
Your answer can influence the type and location of property you should consider.
You may be buying land to:
- Build a family home
- Farm
- Build rental houses
- Develop commercial property
- Hold for future development
- Build a holiday home
- Expand an existing agricultural operation
For example, someone looking for agricultural land may have very different requirements from someone looking for a residential plot.
Think about your objective before you start looking at properties.
[INSERT IMAGE HERE: Photo showing agricultural land, a house construction site or residential development]
Image caption: The intended use of a property should be considered before purchasing land.
3. Check the Property Documents
One of the most important parts of buying land is verifying the property’s documentation.
The State Department for Lands states that an official land search can be used to verify the registered ownership status of a property and identify encumbrances such as charges, cautions and restrictions.
This is an important part of due diligence.
A buyer should not rely only on a photocopy of a title deed or information provided verbally.
Depending on the transaction, you may need to verify:
- Ownership
- Title details
- Parcel number
- Existing charges
- Cautions
- Restrictions
- Survey information
- Transfer documentation
- Relevant consents
The Government’s Ardhisasa platform also provides access to various land information and transaction services.
[INSERT IMAGE HERE: Photo of a title deed or land documents]
Image caption: Property documentation should be carefully verified before completing a land purchase.
Important reminder
Land transactions can involve significant amounts of money. Buyers should conduct independent due diligence and seek professional legal or land-registry advice where appropriate.
4. Confirm the Boundaries and Survey Information
Knowing where your land starts and ends is just as important as knowing who owns it.
The State Department for Lands provides land survey search services that can provide information about boundaries, dimensions, beacons, survey numbers and historical changes to the configuration of a parcel.
When visiting a property, take time to understand:
- The boundaries
- Access roads
- Plot dimensions
- Beacons
- Neighbouring properties
- The position of the plot on the site plan
If necessary, work with a qualified surveyor to help establish the property’s boundaries.
[INSERT IMAGE HERE: Photo of surveyor, beacons or a site plan]
Image caption: Understanding the boundaries and layout of a property is an important part of land due diligence.
5. Look at Infrastructure and Accessibility
Infrastructure can have a major effect on how useful a property is.
When visiting land, look beyond the actual plot.
Ask:
How do I get there?
Is there an access road?
Is water available?
Is electricity available or nearby?
What services are available in the surrounding area?
How far is the property from the nearest town?
These questions can help you understand what owning and developing the property may involve.
For someone buying land for future development, infrastructure may be particularly important because the surrounding area can affect how practical it is to develop the property.
[INSERT IMAGE HERE: Road, electricity poles, water infrastructure or nearby development]
Image caption: Roads and basic infrastructure are important considerations when evaluating land.
6. Think About the Long-Term Potential of the Location
Land is often purchased with a long-term plan in mind.
Instead of looking only at what the area looks like today, consider the surrounding development and how the location fits into your plans.
You can research:
- Nearby towns
- Road infrastructure
- Existing developments
- Population and settlement patterns
- Agricultural activity
- Commercial activity
- Planned infrastructure
- Availability of essential services
However, buyers should be careful about promises that a particular road, project or development will automatically increase the value of their land.
Do your own research and verify major claims using reliable sources.
Kenya’s official statistics show that the real estate sector has been an important part of the economy, with KNBS reporting real estate sector output growth of 33.7% between 2019 and 2023.
[INSERT IMAGE HERE: Aerial photo or wide image showing a developing area]
Image caption: Looking at the surrounding area can help buyers understand the wider context of a property.
7. Visit the Land Before You Buy
This is one of the most important steps.
Do not buy land based only on a WhatsApp photo.
Visit the property.
Walk around the site.
Look at the access roads.
Ask questions.
Check the surroundings.
Understand the distance from the main road.
Look at neighbouring developments.
Review the documentation.
If possible, visit more than once.
A site visit gives you an opportunity to see information that may not be obvious from photographs or online advertisements.
[INSERT IMAGE HERE: Clients visiting a land project]
Image caption: A physical site visit allows prospective buyers to inspect the property and its surroundings.
How Much Should You Budget for Land?
The price of land varies significantly depending on location, size, accessibility, infrastructure, land use and other factors.
Instead of asking only:
“How much is the plot?”
consider the total cost of acquiring and developing the property.
Depending on the transaction, buyers may need to consider costs associated with:
- Land search
- Legal services
- Survey services
- Transfer
- Stamp duty
- Registration
- Site visits and transport
- Development
- Utility connections
The specific costs applicable to a transaction should be confirmed with the relevant government office and qualified professionals.
Should You Buy Land for Building or Farming?
There is no single answer for everyone.
The right property depends on your objective.
If your goal is to build a home, you may prioritize:
- Accessibility
- Residential suitability
- Water
- Electricity
- Roads
- Nearby services
- Security
- Surrounding development
If your goal is farming, you may be more interested in:
- Soil
- Water availability
- Climate
- Land size
- Accessibility
- Existing agricultural activity
- Suitable crops or livestock
The important thing is to match the property with your intended use.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Land in Kenya
Buying land is a major decision, and rushing the process can create unnecessary problems.
Here are some mistakes buyers should try to avoid:
Buying Without Visiting the Property
A photograph cannot replace a physical site visit.
Failing to Verify Ownership
Always conduct appropriate due diligence and verify the ownership information.
Ignoring Boundaries
Make sure you understand the property’s boundaries and dimensions.
Choosing Price Over Location
A cheap plot may not necessarily meet your intended purpose.
Relying Only on Verbal Promises
Important agreements and transaction details should be properly documented.
Rushing Because of Pressure
Take time to understand the property before committing your money.
A Simple Land-Buying Checklist
Before buying a plot, ask yourself:
☑ Have I visited the property?
☑ Do I understand the exact location?
☑ Have I verified ownership?
☑ Have I conducted an official land search?
☑ Have I checked the survey information and boundaries?
☑ Do I understand the access roads?
☑ Have I checked water and electricity availability?
☑ Do I know what I want to use the land for?
☑ Have I considered the total cost of the purchase?
☑ Have I sought professional advice where necessary?
If you cannot answer these questions confidently, take more time before completing the transaction.
Final Thoughts
Land ownership can be an important part of a person’s long-term financial and development plans, but every property purchase should be approached carefully.
The best starting point is not simply asking:
“Is this plot cheap?”
Instead, ask:
“Where is it, what can I use it for, what documents support the ownership, what infrastructure is available, and does it fit my plans?”
Take your time.
Visit the property.
Verify the documentation.
Understand the location.
Ask questions.
Then make an informed decision.
Looking for Land in Kenya?
At Faraja Settlers Limited, we help clients explore different land opportunities in Kenya, including residential and agricultural plots.
Our team can provide information about available properties, locations, prices, documentation and site visits.
If you are considering buying land, contact us to learn more about our available projects and arrange a site visit.
Faraja Settlers Limited
📍 Kamakis Bypass, Northpark House, 2nd Floor
📞 Contact our team for available properties and site visits.
🌐 farajasettlers.co.ke
Visit the property. Ask questions. Verify the details. Make an informed land decision.