By JAMES KURIA

It was all joy for Joshua, a Nakuru barber, when a customer came to his barbershop and informed him of cheap plots that were on sale in Naivasha.

Joshua, a former IDP in Eldoret had never dreamt of buying a plot due to the exorbitantly high prices especially in towns.

On realising the futility of waiting for Government land, he left Eldoret and went to Nakuru where he started a barbershop in one of the estates. His wife, an experienced salonist, also started some business.

"The plots are selling like hot cakes," the customer who identified himself as Kim told Joshua. "The land belongs to a former MP from Central Province and he has decided to sell it cheaply to IDPs. Someone informed me that you are one of them."

"You can benefit if you raise the required amount. Each plot measures 50 by 100 feet and is selling at Sh30,000. Compare that to the market price of Sh400,000 in towns," Kim said as Joshua continued to shave him.

Joshua travelled to Karagita in Naivasha and confirmed the existence of the said land. It was 40 acres and had already been demarcated with beacons, ready for sale. The agents’ office was based in Nakuru town where buyers were supposed to make payments in instalments or in full. The issuance of the title deeds was supposed to be done immediately after all the plots were sold.

Kim said he was one of the agents detailed to identify willing IDPs to buy. Joshua couldn’t help counting himself lucky. "What a great fortune!" he told his wife that evening as he narrated his chance meeting with Kim.

His wife, equally delighted with the prospect of owning a plot, agreed to raise a quarter of the amount required even if it meant borrowing from friends.

Kim, Joshua and his wife agreed to meet at 8.00 am the following day in Naivasha so that they could identify a plot. Five plots had already been bought.

After a thorough inspection, Joshua and his wife agreed to take one that was near some residential houses. It was a perfect place overlooking other residential houses where they could relocate their business.

Before they left, Kim warned them that the plots were on high demand and, therefore, advised them to pay some down payment to secure it. They did not object. A day later, they went to Nakuru office and paid Sh20,000.

An agreement was drafted and the secretary in the office signed on behalf of the landowner. They were given a copy bearing contacts to the agent and landowner. The secretary urged Joshua to clear the remaining Sh10,000 soonest possible.

As they left the office, it was all joy as they agreed to work hard to pay the remaining amount and begin preparing to develop their new residence.

After two months, they cleared the full amount and were now eagerly waiting for the title deed. The second time they went to ask for it, they were asked to pay some Sh10,000 processing fee.

Joshua paid amid complaints because they were not informed about the charges before. They were then promised the title deed would be ready in two weeks.

Before leaving, Joshua told the agent he was about to start developing the plot but the agent warned them to wait for the title deeds first. Two weeks seemed a long time as they waited for the valued document.

On arrival at the office, they did not believe their eyes when they found the doors closed. They tried to make calls using the contacts given but in vain.

"They can hide from us but they cannot hide the plot," Joshua comforted himself after he suspected foul play.

"We shall report to the police and then start building immediately. Furthermore, we have made the full payment that was required and we already have the documents as evidence!" he told his wife.

After reporting to the police station the following day, Joshua brought two lorries of sand and got some labourers to start the foundation.

For three days, everything went well despite questions from neighbours on whether he owned the plot.

Some had warned him that the ownership of that piece of land had remained a mystery for many years.

Joshua, however, dismissed them and brought more building materials. On the fourth day, a Land Rover arrived carrying some plainclothes policemen and a gigantic man dressed in a black suit. They asked Joshua who had authorised him to build there.

Joshua tried to explain while showing them receipts and the agreement he had entered with the agents but no one listened to him.

The man had genuine documents showing ownership of the land. His labourers had already taken off and watched from a safe distance.

The policemen handcuffed him as he grumbled lamenting having trusted a stranger. The matter is still under investigation.