How I Transformed Kenya’s Real Estate Landscape – A Personal Journey

By Nishma Karia, Founder of Lake Estate Agency

Growing up in Kisumu, I always had a deep connection to Kenya’s land and people. But as I began my journey in the real estate world, I saw that something was missing in the industry back home. Property transactions were often filled with uncertainty, leaving both buyers and sellers vulnerable to fraud, unclear ownership, and inflated prices. As I ventured into real estate in England, I realized how structured, transparent, and diligent processes were essential to a thriving market. Armed with that knowledge, I returned to Kenya with a vision—to create a real estate firm that would redefine the way transactions were handled.

A Vision Built on Trust and Transparency

When I came back, one of the biggest gaps I noticed in the Kenyan real estate market was the lack of transparency. There were too many questions around property ownership, with frequent issues of unclear titles and fraudulent sales. People were often left in a state of mistrust, unsure if they were getting into a secure deal. I knew that for real estate to succeed in Kenya, trust had to be at the core of every transaction. So, I made it my mission to ensure that each deal my agency handled would be backed by a meticulous, waterproof approach.

I realized early on that the only way to build lasting trust was to guarantee that all property ownership claims were real and legally sound. That's why I developed my own stringent protocol for ownership verification—one that leaves no room for doubt. At Lake Estate Agency, we go beyond the usual checks and paperwork. We conduct deep, in-depth research into ownership history, using both public records and private investigations to ensure that titles are clean, and properties are free from any disputes or legal complications.

Creating My Own Protocol for Property Verification

I didn’t rely on the traditional ways of verifying property ownership because I knew the gaps that existed. Instead, I created my own framework, a rigorous protocol that dives deep into land records, ownership history, and all possible legal issues surrounding a property. We do this because I believe that a deal is only as strong as the trust behind it. By adopting this approach, my agency ensures that every deal is waterproof—every piece of land or property we handle has undergone a thorough and comprehensive verification process.

Over the past 15 years, I’ve seen first-hand how this attention to detail and commitment to transparency has changed the way people approach real estate in Kenya. Buyers feel secure knowing they are getting properties with clean titles, and sellers trust us to market their properties to serious, verified buyers.

Earning the Trust of Clients and Investors

Through my work, I’ve built a vast network of local and international investors, including buyers from the Kenyan diaspora. They trust Lake Estate Agency because we never compromise on diligence. Every property we handle has gone through our internal verification process—what I proudly call our "waterproof protocol". This protocol has set us apart in the market and is the foundation of our success.

What makes me proud is not just the deals we've closed, but the relationships we've built along the way. People trust us because they know we put their best interests first. They trust that their investments are secure, their properties are marketed ethically, and their transactions will go smoothly. Our clients know that we don’t cut corners, and that’s why they keep coming back—and why they refer others to us.

Transforming the Market, One Deal at a Time

When I started this journey, I never anticipated just how much of an impact Lake Estate Invest would have on the Kenyan real estate market. But our waterproof approach, rooted in transparency and trust, has become a model for others. We’ve raised the bar for how property transactions should be done, and we’re proud to have set a new standard for quality in the industry.

As we move forward, I am committed to continuing this mission. I want to ensure that every property buyer and seller in Kenya has access to transparent, secure, and trustworthy real estate transactions. My vision has always been about more than just making deals—it’s about transforming how real estate is perceived and conducted in Kenya.

Looking Ahead

As Lake Estate Invest continues to grow, my promise remains the same: to safeguard the interests of every client through thorough diligence, clear ownership verification, and unparalleled professionalism. Whether you’re buying, selling, or investing, know that with us, every deal is truly waterproof.

Thank you for trusting us, and for allowing me to be part of your real estate journey.