Lawyer Okoth Opondo Charged Over Sh3 Million Land Fraud

NAIROBI, Kenya — A Nairobi-based advocate has been charged with defrauding a businessman of Sh3 million in a botched property transaction.

Robert Okoth Opondo appeared before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi, where he denied charges of obtaining money by false pretenses.

The prosecution alleges that between July 22 and July 25, 2024, Opondo obtained Sh3 million from businessman Mohamed Mohamed Odon by falsely claiming he could facilitate the conveyancing of a parcel of land identified as Title No. NAIROBI BLOCK 111/1151.

According to court documents, Odon, who was acting on behalf of his ward, Yusuf Ahmed Ali, introduced Opondo to oversee the sale of a Komarock house owned by Harrison Barasa Ekesa and his daughter, Getty Barasa.

The agreed purchase price was Sh6 million, and Opondo was engaged to handle the legal process, including receiving payments on behalf of the seller.

On July 20 and July 25, Odon transferred a total of Sh6 million to an account belonging to Robert Opondo & Company Advocates at Co-operative Bank.

Opondo reportedly remitted only Sh3 million to the vendor — Sh2 million on July 22 and Sh1 million on July 26 — while withholding the remaining half.

Despite receiving his legal fees of Sh30,000, the lawyer allegedly failed to complete the transfer of ownership or release the balance of the funds.

Repeated attempts by the buyer and seller to have him conclude the transaction were unsuccessful, with Opondo at one point claiming his practicing license had expired.

The matter was reported to police after months of frustration, leading to his arrest and arraignment. Prosecutors say Opondo acted with intent to defraud, knowing he had no authority or capacity to execute the sale as represented.

The case will be mentioned at a later date as investigations continue.