Informing Legal Strategy by Uncovering Verifiable Assets

Utilising professional asset search technology in Nairobi is a crucial step in pre-litigation due diligence and post-judgment enforcement. Before investing significant time and money in a court case, it is vital to answer one question: can the debtor actually pay? At Swipe Recoveries Experts Ltd, we use a combination of advanced technology and investigative expertise to identify a debtor's tangible and intangible assets. This intelligence empowers our clients to make informed decisions, whether it's proceeding with legal action, negotiating a settlement from a position of strength, or avoiding a costly lawsuit against a judgment-proof debtor. Our searches provide a clear, factual basis for your recovery strategy.

The Scope of a Comprehensive Asset Search in Kenya

A professional asset search in Nairobi can uncover a wide range of holdings, providing a holistic view of a debtor's financial standing. We categorise these assets for clarity. Real Property Searches are fundamental. By leveraging the digitised Ardhisasa portal and conducting searches at the Kenya Land Registry, we can identify land and buildings registered in the debtor's name. This is often the most valuable asset available for attachment to satisfy a judgment.

Movable and Corporate Assets form the next layer. We query the NTSA/TIMS database to identify motor vehicle ownership and the Business Registration Service (BRS) to uncover directorships, shareholdings in private companies, and business names linked to the debtor. For high-value individuals or corporations, searches can extend to the aircraft registry managed by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) or public shareholdings regulated by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA). It is important to note that direct access to bank account balances is protected by privacy laws and typically requires a court order, such as a Garnishee Order, which can be obtained post-judgment using the evidence from our asset search.

asset search technology nairobi
Swipe Recoveries Experts Ltd

Legal & Procedural Requirements for Asset Searches

Conducting an asset search must be done legally and ethically, adhering to the provisions of the Constitution of Kenya and The Data Protection Act. The legitimacy of a search is tied to its purpose. A Pre-Litigation Asset Search is conducted to assess the financial viability of pursuing a claim, forming a critical part of a creditor's due diligence. A Post-Judgment Asset Search is performed to locate assets for attachment and sale to satisfy a court decree, as provided for under the enforcement of decrees in the Civil Procedure Act.

Our process relies on accessing public records. These are official government-maintained registries where information is legally accessible to the public or to licensed professionals for legitimate purposes. We do not engage in any form of illegal data acquisition. The report we generate is a compilation of publicly verifiable information, making it a credible document that can be used to support applications in court. For example, evidence of asset ownership from our report can be used in an affidavit to support an application for an injunction to prevent the debtor from disposing of the assets during the court case.

Debt Recovery & Auctioneering Coverage in Nairobi, Kenya

Swipe Recoveries Experts Ltd provides commercial recovery, skip tracing, and auctioneering services across Nairobi, Kenya and all 47 counties in Kenya.

The Asset Search Process & Typical Costs in Nairobi

A magnifying glass over a map of Nairobi, highlighting assets found with asset search technology.

Our asset search process is methodical and transparent. It begins with a Client Consultation to understand the objective and gather all known information about the debtor. The core of the work is the Multi-Registry Search Phase, where our team uses its expertise and access to various online portals (Ardhisasa, BRS, etc.) and physical registries to uncover assets. Where necessary, we can conduct discreet Physical Verification to confirm the existence and condition of an identified asset, such as a property or business premises.

The findings are compiled into a Comprehensive Asset Report, which outlines the identified assets, their estimated value (where possible), and the source of the information. The cost of an asset search in Nairobi is tiered based on its depth. A Level 1 (Basic) Search, covering corporate directorships and vehicle ownership, may have a flat fee between KES 20,000 and KES 45,000. A Level 2 (Comprehensive) Search, which includes deep property searches, business interests, and other holdings, will be quoted on a case-by-case basis, often starting from KES 50,000, plus any statutory fees charged by the registries, which are passed on to the client at cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an asset search find hidden bank accounts in Kenya?
A standard asset search cannot directly reveal bank account balances due to strict banking privacy laws in Kenya. However, it uncovers evidence of wealth, business activities, and income streams. This information is crucial for obtaining a court order post-judgment (a 'Garnishee Order') which compels a bank to disclose and release funds from a debtor's account.
How long does a typical asset search in Nairobi take?
A standard digital asset search focusing on company and vehicle records can typically be completed within 3 to 7 business days. A more comprehensive search that includes manual searches at the Land Registry or physical verification may take 10 to 15 business days, depending on the complexity and responsiveness of the respective government bodies.
Is the asset search report from Swipe Recoveries admissible in court?
Yes, the information in our reports is highly credible for court purposes because it is sourced from official public records. The report itself can be used as a basis for an affidavit, where the investigator swears to the findings. The official search documents obtained from registries like Ardhisasa or BRS are directly admissible as evidence in legal proceedings in Kenya.