Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Litmus and land verification in Kenya.
General
Land verification is the process of confirming the legal status, ownership history, and risk profile of a parcel of land before purchasing it. Litmus automates key parts of this process by searching court records, gazette notices, and other public data sources to identify potential issues with a parcel.
An official search at the Land Registry reveals the current registered owner and any registered encumbrances. Litmus complements the official search by checking court records for litigation, scanning gazette notices for government actions, and analysing ownership signals that the registry does not cover. We recommend doing both.
Yes. Litmus is designed to work remotely. You can submit a verification request from anywhere in the world using just the parcel identifier. This makes the service especially valuable for diaspora Kenyans who cannot easily visit land registries or court offices in person.
Litmus can verify parcels identified by LR numbers, IR numbers, title numbers, and block/plot references across all 47 counties in Kenya. We support both freehold and leasehold titles.
Yes. We take data security seriously. All verification requests and reports are encrypted in transit and at rest. We do not share your parcel information or personal details with third parties. Our infrastructure is hosted on secure cloud services with strict access controls.
You can request a demo by contacting us through the website contact form or sending an email to hello@pawadtech.com. We offer live demonstrations for institutional clients and a walkthrough of sample reports for individual buyers.
Process
A standard Litmus verification report is typically delivered within 24 to 48 hours. Complex parcels with extensive court histories or multiple gazette references may take up to 72 hours. We prioritise accuracy over speed.
You need to provide the parcel identifier — this can be an LR number, IR number, title number, or block/plot reference. If you have a copy of the title deed, that is helpful but not required. The parcel identifier is the minimum input needed to start a search.
If our verification reveals court cases, gazette notices, or other risk signals, we include full details in your report along with a risk assessment. We explain what the findings mean in plain language so you can make an informed decision. We recommend consulting an advocate for legal guidance on next steps.
Parcel monitoring is an ongoing service that tracks changes to your parcel after purchase. Litmus monitors court filings, gazette notices, and other public records and alerts you if any new activity is detected. This is especially useful for diaspora landowners who cannot monitor their property in person.
Legal
No. Litmus provides intelligence and data that supports your decision-making, but it does not provide legal advice. We strongly recommend using a qualified advocate for all land transactions, particularly for the conveyancing process.
Litmus provides the most comprehensive data-driven analysis available, but no verification service can guarantee absolute accuracy. Public records may be incomplete, and new information can emerge after a report is generated. Our reports reflect the best available information at the time of verification, and we clearly state any limitations.
Pricing
Pricing depends on the type of verification and the depth of analysis required. Contact us for current pricing. We offer individual verification reports as well as bulk pricing for institutions that process multiple parcels.
Institutional
Yes. Litmus provides verification services to banks, SACCOs, and other financial institutions that need to assess land-related risk before approving loans. Our institutional API allows automated, high-volume parcel verification.
Litmus currently covers the Environment and Land Court (ELC) across all stations in Kenya. This includes both active cases and historical judgments. We are continuously expanding our database to include additional court divisions and tribunals.
