Kenya's 47 County Land Registries: Which Registry Covers Your Parcel?

Kenya has 47 counties and 47 corresponding county land registries. Searching the wrong registry produces no result — which could be mistaken for "the parcel doesn't exist" when in fact the parcel is simply registered at a different registry.

Identifying the correct registry is the first practical step in any Kenya land verification.

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How to Identify the Correct Registry

Step 1: Check the LR number format.

LR (Land Reference) number formats vary by county and registration system:

Nairobi: LR [number]/[sub-number] (e.g., LR 21075/2) Kiambu: Kiambu/[block or location]/[number] Mombasa: MN (Mombasa Number) format for coastal properties Machakos: Machakos/[number] Various counties: [County name]/[number]

The format tells you which system (Government Lands Act, Registered Land Act, or Land Registration Act) and often which county. Your conveyancing advocate will know which registry covers a specific number format.

Step 2: Check the address in the title deed.

The title deed's description of the parcel should indicate its location. A title deed that says "Nairobi area" with a Nairobi LR number should be searched at the Nairobi Land Registry.

Step 3: For Ardhisasa-covered counties.

If the parcel is in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, or Murang'a, a preliminary search on Ardhisasa can confirm the registry.

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The Major Registries and Their Locations

Nairobi Land Registry Location: Ardhi House, Upper Hill, Nairobi Covers: Nairobi County (including Westlands, Karen, Eastlands, Langata)

Kiambu Land Registry Location: Kiambu town Covers: Kiambu County (including Thika, Ruiru, Limuru, Kikuyu, Ruaka)

Kajiado Land Registry Location: Kajiado town Covers: Kajiado County (including Kitengela, Ongata Rongai, Ngong, Namanga)

Mombasa Land Registry Location: Mombasa town (Makadara area) Covers: Mombasa County (including Nyali, Bamburi, Likoni)

Kwale Land Registry Location: Kwale town Covers: Kwale County (including Diani Beach, Ukunda, Msambweni)

Kilifi Land Registry Location: Kilifi town Covers: Kilifi County (including Malindi, Watamu, Rabai)

Nakuru Land Registry Location: Nakuru town Covers: Nakuru County (including Naivasha, Gilgil, Molo)

Murang'a Land Registry Location: Murang'a town (Muranga) Covers: Murang'a County

Machakos Land Registry Location: Machakos town Covers: Machakos County (including Mavoko/Athi River)

Nyeri Land Registry Location: Nyeri town Covers: Nyeri County

Kisumu Land Registry Location: Kisumu town Covers: Kisumu County

Nanyuki Land Registry Location: Nanyuki town Covers: Laikipia County

Eldoret Land Registry Location: Eldoret town (Nakuru Road area) Covers: Uasin Gishu County

Meru Land Registry Location: Meru town Covers: Meru County

Embu Land Registry Location: Embu town Covers: Embu County

Kirinyaga Land Registry Location: Kerugoya (Kirinyaga County HQ) Covers: Kirinyaga County

Nyandarua Land Registry Location: Ol Kalou Covers: Nyandarua County

Nakuru sub-registry (Naivasha) Some Naivasha-area registrations may be at Naivasha rather than Nakuru. Confirm with your advocate.

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Registry Hours and Access

Kenya Land Registries generally operate:

Monday to Friday. 8:30am to 4:30pm (with lunch break 1pm-2pm at some locations). Closed on public holidays.

For less accessible county registries, physical searches require planning around travel time and operating hours.

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The Ardhisasa Coverage Question

Ardhisasa provides digital search capability for some counties — primarily Nairobi and Kiambu as of mid-2026, with Kajiado and Murang'a in various stages of integration.

For all other counties, physical registry attendance is the only option.

For any property in a county outside Ardhisasa's coverage, a verification service must physically attend the registry. This is part of what the Litmus verification covers — the verifier physically attends the relevant county registry, regardless of where it is located.

Standard verification: KSh 21,500 across all 47 counties.

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This article is for general information only. It does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified Kenya advocate for registry-specific guidance.