Buying Property in Nairobi on Ardhisasa: How the Digital Land Registry Works

In April 2021, the Ministry of Lands launched Ardhisasa, the National Land Information Management System, starting with the Nairobi registry. Land searches, transfers and many related payments for Nairobi properties are now conducted online rather than over the counter at Ardhi House. The aim is greater security of land records, faster transactions and less room for fraud.

What can be done on Ardhisasa

For properties on the platform, services include:

• Official searches
• Transfers of land and leases
• Payment of land rent and issue of land rent clearance certificates
• Payment of registration and consent fees
• Registration and withdrawal of cautions
• Registration of land documents

Title verification comes first

Before a property can be transacted online, its title must be verified and migrated onto the platform. Verification has been the main source of delay since the system launched, and industry players reported transactions held up while records were cleaned and digitised. Many Nairobi properties are held under leases and subleases, which adds to the conversion work.

For a buyer, the practical lesson is simple: confirm the verification status of the title before signing a sale agreement, and build realistic timelines into the completion date.

The documents still matter

Going digital does not remove the need for careful conveyancing. A transfer still depends on a sound sale agreement, the original title, executed transfer forms, rates and rent clearance, Land Control Board consent where the land is agricultural, spousal consent where required, and payment of stamp duty. Each must be correct before the transfer is lodged.

How we help

We manage Nairobi property transactions end to end on Ardhisasa: searches and verification checks, drafting and negotiation, compliance and registration. Instruct an advocate before paying any deposit.