Title deed loans in Kenya (2026)

A title deed loan is a secured loan where you use a Kenyan land title deed as collateral. The lender takes a charge over the land at the Ministry of Lands and can auction the parcel if you default. Typical loan-to-value is 40 to 60 percent of the professional land valuation, term 6 to 60 months.

Mwananchi Credit is the most prominent non-bank title deed lender profiled here; several other non-bank lenders in the DCP register also accept title deeds. Banks like KCB, Equity, Co-op and NCBA all offer land-secured facilities but with stricter documentation. SACCOs sometimes lend against a member share plus a title deed as additional security.

Typically 40 to 60 percent of the professional land valuation. Prime Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu urban plots achieve higher LTV; rural parcels and unsurveyed land are heavily discounted or refused. Family land held under customary or communal tenure is generally not accepted.

You can lose the land. If you default, the lender exercises the charge, gives statutory notice, and auctions the parcel through a licensed auctioneer. Auction prices are often 60 to 80 percent of market value, so a small shortfall on loan-to-value at signing can wipe out your equity when the hammer falls. Title deed loans are almost always cheaper than logbook loans but the stakes are higher.

Original title deed, a recent professional land valuation, land rates clearance certificate, land rent clearance (for leasehold), a spousal consent (if the land is a matrimonial home), consent to charge, national ID, KRA PIN, three to six months of bank or M-PESA statements, and one utility bill. Expect a Ministry of Lands search and a physical site inspection.

A mortgage typically funds the purchase or construction of the property being charged, at a bank rate (currently 13 to 17 percent). A title deed loan uses an existing property to raise cash for any purpose, at non-bank rates (effective APR 25 to 60 percent). Mortgages are longer term (10 to 25 years); title deed loans are usually 12 to 60 months.

The lenders are. Non-bank Digital Credit Providers offering title deed loans are licensed and supervised by the Central Bank of Kenya under the CBK Digital Credit Providers Regulations 2022. Public register at centralbank.go.ke/digital-credit-providers. The security itself is governed by the Land Act and the Land Registration Act, both administered by the Ministry of Lands.

A bank mortgage or home equity loan for large tickets. A SACCO development loan (up to 3x shares) for smaller amounts, often at half the effective rate of a non-bank title deed loan. An unsecured personal loan from your primary bank if you have salaried income. Selling the land and buying back later, in some cases.