The Stima Investment Co-operative Society has issued over 800 title deeds to members who had purchased properties in various parts of the country.

Most of the beneficiaries who bought plots in Bahati area of Nakuru County were handed the title deeds after a long wait caused by different challenges, including reforms at the Lands Ministry.

“We have confidence that pending issues will be cleared on time,” the society’s chairman, Eng Joe Ng’ang’a, told hundreds of investors and their relatives who turned up to receive their title deeds at Stima Members Club on Saturday, October 23.

The society’s CEO, Mr Jonathan Kinyenze, told members that many of the investors were waiting to receive their legal documents before they could start developing the land, including building homes.

“We are enabling our members to afford houses,” he said, indicating that the society was partnering with both financiers and developers to help members actualise their home ownership goals.

The society showed the clearest indication yet that it has improved its governance and management, issuing titles to members who have had to wait for years.

“We have changed the way we are doing things. We are much wiser now,” said Mr Kinyenze, alluding to governance challenges that affected the society’s operations in the past but which are being addressed by the current board and management.

Board member Hogla Wanjohi also alluded to the challenges that the new leadership has had to confront to revive the society.

“It has been a journey. The team has worked hard,” she said.

With the leadership challenges being addressed, she urged members to take advantage of the society’s partnerships with financiers and developers already accredited by the government under the Big Four Agenda of building affordable homes.

She said there has been a notable increase in the number of women investing in property on their own or partnering with their spouses.

One such investor is Mary Njau who received a title deed for a piece of land in Bahati.

“When you buy land, you create wealth,” she said and urged more women to take up investment in land as one way of raising capital for their businesses through capital gains.

Another investor, John Maritim, received three titles. He has received two others in the past.

“To have an investment is to add value to yourself by buying these assets,” he told members.