Uncovering Hidden Assets to Enforce Your Claim
An asset recovery search is an essential investigative tool for creditors, legal professionals, and businesses seeking to enforce court judgments or recover outstanding debts. When a debtor claims inability to pay, a professional search can uncover hidden or undeclared assets, providing a clear path to recovery. Swipe Recoveries Experts Ltd specializes in conducting discreet and thorough asset searches across Kenya. From our Nairobi headquarters, we leverage a combination of public record analysis, proprietary databases, and on-the-ground intelligence to locate valuable assets that can be attached to satisfy your claim. We provide the evidence you need to turn a paper judgment into tangible results.
The Legal Basis for Asset Searches in Kenya
In Kenya, asset searches for civil debt recovery are a legitimate part of the due diligence and judgment enforcement process. While the Asset Recovery Agency (ARA), established under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA), primarily handles cases involving proceeds of crime, private entities like Swipe Recoveries operate within the civil framework. Our work is guided by the Civil Procedure Act, which allows a decree-holder to apply to the court for the attachment and sale of a judgment-debtor's property.
Our role is to identify those assets. We conduct lawful searches through publicly accessible registries. This includes the Land Registry at Ardhi House to identify real estate holdings, the Business Registration Service (BRS) to find directorships and shareholdings under the Companies Act, 2015, and the NTSA's TIMS portal to trace vehicle ownership. The information we gather is compiled into a comprehensive report that your legal team can use to initiate attachment proceedings, ensuring all actions are legally sound and defensible in court.
Our Asset Search Methodology & Scope
A successful asset recovery search requires a multi-faceted approach. At Swipe Recoveries, we don't just scratch the surface; we conduct deep-dive investigations to create a complete financial picture of the subject. Our search scope is comprehensive and can be tailored to the specifics of your case.
Our process typically includes:
1. Desktop Investigation: We start by querying national databases. This includes searches for land/property ownership, vehicle registrations, business directorships and shareholdings, and professional licenses. We cross-reference information from various sources to build a profile.
2. Financial Account Searches: While direct access to bank account details is restricted, we use advanced techniques and analysis of financial patterns to identify potential banking relationships, which can be crucial for obtaining garnishment orders from the court.
3. Field Intelligence & Surveillance: For complex cases, our team may conduct discreet, on-the-ground inquiries to verify a subject's lifestyle, place of business, and physical assets that may not appear in public records. This is particularly effective for identifying valuable movable assets like machinery, inventory, or luxury goods.
The final deliverable is a detailed, confidential report outlining all identified assets, their estimated value, and their location, providing you with a clear strategy for recovery.
Cost of an Asset Recovery Search in Kenya (KES)
The cost of an asset recovery search is not one-size-fits-all; it depends on the complexity and scope of the investigation. We believe in transparent pricing and will provide a clear quote before beginning any work.
For a standard Level 1 Asset Search in Kenya, which typically includes searches at the Land Registry, Companies Registry, and NTSA for an individual or a single company, fees generally range from KES 25,000 to KES 60,000. This covers the professional time, database access fees, and government search charges. For more complex investigations involving multiple entities, hidden offshore assets, or extensive field surveillance, we work on a retainer basis, with costs starting from KES 100,000 and up. In some debt recovery cases, we may offer a blended model that includes a reduced upfront fee plus a success-based commission upon successful recovery of the assets. Contact us for a confidential, no-obligation quote tailored to your specific needs.
