Thousands of Kenyans have been left counting losses after investing their hard-earned money in fake real estate deals.
Most of the victims have been caught up in the promise of owning a home at an affordable cost, with some fraudulent property sellers using forged documents to swindle unsuspecting buyers.
When Tabitha Kanyigi found herself at a crossroads after losing her money in a real estate investment scam, she decided to start her own company to shield other investors from similar scams.
The bold realtor, who is also a part-time baker, founded Dafari Property Developers, a real estate firm that deals with the sale of land.
”A lot of investors have been duped while investing in real estate. Being one of the many victims who have fallen into the scam, I ventured into real estate to restore confidence to all those who have given up on investing in real estate,’’ Tabitha says.
Since its launch three years ago, Dafari Property Developers has converted several investors into landlords by selling affordable plots and very timely issuance of title deeds.
Tabitha says startup capital was the biggest challenge she encountered in the capital-intensive sector, thanks to bank financing, which helped her navigate the challenge.
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She notes that investing in professionals and adjusting to the current economic environment highly contributed to the growth of her business.
”Due to the economic constraints, a lot of investors have experienced financial constraints as well. We have come up with a plan whereby investors are allowed to comfortably pay in installments,’’ she says.
Tabitha further highlighted the importance of social media marketing in boosting sales as well as brand visibility.
From her experience in entrepreneurship, Tabitha says some of the key pillars of success in entrepreneurship are hiring professionals and conducting due diligence before implementing any decisions, suggestions, or recommendations made by the Managers.
She advises aspiring entrepreneurs to face their fears and follow their passion.
”No one should shy away from venturing into the entrepreneurial world. Each person is unique in their own way, and all that is needed is to come together, support each other, and finally make this world a better place to live in,’’ she says.
