For years, Kenya’s land-buying process has been plagued by mistrust and fraud, with countless buyers falling victim to deceitful dealers and fraudulent schemes.
Stories of people losing their life savings to con artists and dishonest land-selling companies are all too common.
These challenges have left many Kenyans wary of investing in land, particularly in a market rife with dishonesty.
It was this environment of distrust that drove Mushaina Master, a former radio journalist, to establish Favour Land Property in 2019.
His goal was simple but ambitious: to bring transparency and honesty to a sector long overshadowed by fraud.
“I’ve heard so many heartbreaking stories of people losing their land because of fraud or being conned,” Mushaina explained.
“It made me realise that there was a gap in the market for a business that people could trust.”
Mushaina began by purchasing land from locals in Kitengela, Kajiado County, and subdividing it into smaller plots for sale.
He used local valuers to determine fair prices and focused on clear, straightforward transactions.
Despite the challenges, he was determined to establish a business model that could restore faith in Kenya's land market.
When the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted business operations nationwide, he turned to social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube to market his plots.
This strategy paid off, allowing him to sell his first 14 plots in Lenchani during the lockdown.
“Covid-19 was a blessing in disguise for me,” he said.
“It forced me to adapt and embrace digital platforms, and the results were beyond my expectations.”
However, running a land-selling company in Kenya is not without its difficulties.
He noted that rising land prices and the costs of improving land before subdividing it remain significant hurdles.
The negative perception of land-selling companies also poses a constant challenge.
“Most land-selling companies have been painted in a bad light because of fraud,” he said.
“You have to be honest and transparent if you want to avoid the same fate.”
One of Mushaina's key priorities has been winning back the trust of Kenyans living abroad.
Many have been victims of land scams and are reluctant to invest again.
“Kenyans in the diaspora have been conned repeatedly,” he said.
“I’ve been working hard to show them that there are still trustworthy companies out there.”
His vision for the future includes becoming a major investor in Kenya’s real estate sector and collaborating with the government on affordable housing projects.
He believes that providing honest solutions to the challenges faced by land buyers will be key to his success.
“I was inspired by a friend who told me that the best business is one that solves people’s problems,” he said.
“That’s what I set out to do, and that’s what I’ll keep doing.”
While challenges persist, his commitment to integrity and transparency offers hope for a sector in desperate need of reform.
His story serves as a reminder that trust can be rebuilt, even in the most challenging industries.
