Visit Your Land in Kenya: Practical Guide for Foreign Investors

Visiting a plot of land in Kenya is an essential step in your purchase process. Even though remote support is possible, nothing replaces an on-site visit to assess the location, the environment and the potential of the property. Here is how to organise your real estate trip to Kenya.

1. Preparing Your Visit from Switzerland

Good preparation is the key to a successful visit:

Documents to Prepare

• Valid passport (6 months after return date)
• Round-trip flight ticket (Swiss citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays under 90 days)
• Travel insurance certificate with medical coverage
• Copy of land documents (GPS coordinates, photos, cadastral plan if available)
• List of questions to ask (see section 4)

When to Come?

• Dry season (June-October, January-February): ideal for visiting, roads are passable, the land is visible in its normal state
• Rainy season (April-May, November): allows you to check drainage and access in wet weather, but travel is more difficult
• Avoid: the Christmas-New Year period (high prices, limited availability of professionals)

Budget for a One-Week Visit

• Zurich-Nairobi round-trip flight: CHF 700 - 1,200
• Accommodation (hotel/Airbnb): CHF 50 - 150/night
• Transport (car with driver/day): KES 8,000 - 15,000/day (CHF 55 - 105)
• Meals: CHF 25 - 50/day
• Miscellaneous expenses: CHF 100 - 200
• Estimated total for one week: CHF 1,800 - 3,000

2. Arriving in Kenya and Getting Around

Flight and Airport

• Direct Zurich-Nairobi flight with Swiss or Kenya Airways (8h15 flight time)
• JKIA Airport (Nairobi): main entry point, allow 45 min to 1h for immigration and baggage collection
• Domestic flight: to reach Nanyuki (45 min), Diani (1h30) or Mombasa (1h), allow KES 15,000 - 30,000 one way
• Alternative: Nanyuki Airport (NYK) with daily flights from Nairobi Wilson Airport

Local Transport

• Car with driver: recommended for land visits, allow KES 8,000 - 15,000/day depending on the vehicle (4x4 recommended off-road)
• Car rental: possible but not recommended if you are not used to driving in Kenya (left-hand traffic, variable road conditions)
• Private driver: ideal solution, your agency can arrange a French-speaking or English-speaking driver

3. What to Check on the Land

During your visit, here are the essential points to check:

Access and Location

• Road access: is the road passable all year round? Is it a public or private road? Is there a right of way?
• Proximity to amenities: how far are shops, schools, hospitals, public transport?
• Neighbourhood: what type of buildings around? Development projects nearby?
• GPS coordinates: take coordinates to cross-reference with the land title

The Land Itself

• Boundaries and demarcation: do the boundaries match the cadastral plan? Are there visible markers?
• Topography: is the land flat, sloping, hilly? Impact on construction cost
• Soil type: rocky, clay, sandy soil? A soil study may be necessary
• Vegetation: existing trees, type of vegetation (savannah, forest, agricultural)
• Utilities: availability of electricity, running water, sewage, fibre optics
• Drainage: how does water flow during heavy rain? Are there flood risks?

4. Questions to Ask the Seller

Prepare these essential questions for your meeting with the seller or agent:

1. Is the title deed original? Can I see a copy?
2. Is the land leasehold or freehold?
3. Are there any easements or rights of way on the land?
4. Are the land rates up to date?
5. Are there any ongoing disputes concerning this land?
6. What is the zoning (residential, agricultural, commercial)?
7. Can I build immediately? Are there any restrictions?
8. Are water and electricity available? At what connection cost?
9. What is the price per square metre in the neighbourhood?
10. Why is the seller selling?

5. Hiring Local Professionals

Your visit will be much more productive if you are accompanied:

• French-speaking real estate agent: organises viewings, translates, negotiates, and knows the local market (allow 3-6% commission)
• Kenyan lawyer: verifies the legal status of the land, prepares the contract (KES 30,000 - 80,000)
• Surveyor: verifies land boundaries and matches them to the title deed (KES 30,000 - 60,000)
• Architect: can assess building potential and give a first opinion on feasibility (KES 30,000 - 50,000)
• Engineer: for soil condition assessment and foundation requirements (KES 40,000 - 80,000)

6. Sample Visit Itinerary

Here is a sample itinerary for a one-week visit in the Nanyuki/Mount Kenya region:

7. Pitfalls to Avoid

Common mistakes when visiting land in Kenya:

• Rushing: never sign under emotion or pressure from the seller
• Neglecting due diligence: a visit does not replace a complete legal verification of the title deed
• Forgetting to check access: a beautiful plot inaccessible in bad weather loses all its appeal
• Ignoring the neighbourhood: a planned factory next door or a future landfill can ruin your investment
• Relying only on photos: photos can be misleading (angles, depth, retouching)
• Visiting only during the day: go to the neighbourhood in the evening to get a feel for the real atmosphere
• Neglecting hidden costs: connection fees, taxes, maintenance, security

8. After the Visit: Making Your Decision

After returning to Switzerland, take the time to analyse your visits:

1. Rank the plots you have seen in order of preference
2. Review the photos and videos you took
3. Contact the agent for any follow-up questions
4. Wait for the due diligence results before making a decision
5. Simulate your budget: land price + acquisition costs + construction (if applicable) + management fees
6. Do not ignore your intuition: if you have doubts, take time to discuss with professionals
7. Arrange a follow-up visit if necessary, possibly with an architect or engineer