By Veronicah Stellah
May 24, 2024
The Nairobi County Government has issued a stern warning to landowners with unpaid land rates, threatening to auction thousands of parcels of land across the city. In a 72-page notice published on Friday, the administration led by Governor Johnson Sakaja outlined the consequences of non-payment, highlighting that properties would face penalty interest and potential auction if arrears were not settled promptly.
“The owners of the following listed properties are advised to ensure that they pay outstanding land rates arrears owed to Nairobi City County Government; otherwise, the properties shall be subject to penalty interest and enforcement actions, including auctions by the Nairobi City County Government,” the notice read.
The extensive list of delinquent properties spans various Nairobi constituencies, including Westlands, Starehe, Ruaraka, Roysambu, Mathare, Makadara, Lang’ata, Kasarani, Kibra, Embakasi West, Embakasi South, Embakasi North, Embakasi East, Embakasi Central, Dagoretti South, and Dagoretti North. The amounts owed range from Ksh. 50,000 to an astounding Ksh. 31 billion.
Among the defaulters are prominent entities, both public and private, including the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), several embassies, Safari Park, and Air Tanzania. These high-profile cases highlight the widespread issue of unpaid land rates in the city.
County Chief Officer for Revenue and Administration Wilson Gakuya stated that if landowners complied with their obligations, the county could generate over Ksh. 30 billion annually. He emphasized the financial impact of non-compliance, which severely hampers the county’s revenue generation and ability to fund essential services.
Gakuya also acknowledged that one of the significant reasons for non-payment is ongoing legal disputes over the properties. Many landowners have taken their cases to court, complicating the county’s efforts to collect due rates. “These disputes often lead to delays in payments as the property owners await legal resolutions,” he explained.
The Nairobi County Government’s aggressive stance on unpaid land rates is part of a broader strategy to improve revenue collection and address budget shortfalls. With this move, the administration hopes to send a clear message to defaulters about the importance of fulfilling their financial obligations to support the city’s development and services.
As the deadline looms, affected property owners are urged to settle their debts to avoid losing their properties through auction. The county government has reiterated its commitment to enforcing the law and ensuring compliance from all landowners.
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