Before transferring ownership of freehold land in Kenya, the seller must obtain consent from the Land Control Board (LCB) of the relevant county. The Land Control Board is established under the Land Control Act (Cap. 302) and oversees all transactions involving agricultural land classified as freehold, ensuring that the sale is genuinely voluntary and that both parties understand the terms. Freehold tenure gives the holder absolute ownership of the land for life, with no land rent payable to the government (unlike leasehold land).
Freehold Land Consent Fee Summary Table
| Fee Type | Amount (KES) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Land Control Board consent fee | From 1,000 | Set by the county LCB; varies by county and land size |
| Land search fee (official) | 500 | At Ministry of Lands or via eCitizen |
| Title deed transfer registration fee | 500 | At Land Registry |
| Title deed issuance fee | 5,000 | Final issuance of new title |
| Stamp duty (freehold, rural/outside municipality) | 2% of property value | Paid to KRA via iTax |
| Stamp duty (urban/municipal area) | 4% of property value | Applies to freehold in urban designated areas |
Note: Stamp duty is 2% for freeholds situated outside cities and municipalities. Some freehold parcels within town boundaries may attract the 4% urban rate — confirm with the Ministry of Lands at time of transfer.
Application Process
The seller and buyer submit a joint application to the Land Control Board, accompanied by: proof of title deed, a valuation report, a completed transfer instrument, national IDs of both parties, and payment of the applicable board fee. Once consent is granted, the transfer instrument is stamped (stamp duty paid to KRA), and both the transfer and any replacement title are registered at the relevant Land Registry office.
