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Nairobi County announces 100% waiver of land rate penalties, interests

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja at a past event. (X/Sakaja Johnson)

By Bashir Mohammed | Saturday, May 18, 2024

The waiver comes as a relief for landowners who have been grappling with the burden of accumulated penalties and interests.

Nairobi County has declared a 100 per cent waiver of all land rate penalties and interests.

Charles Kerich, the Nairobi City County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning, made the announcement through a gazette notice on Friday, May 17, providing much-needed relief to landowners.

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The waiver applies to payments made in full between May 20, 2024, and June 20, 2024.

"In the exercise of powers conferred by Section 5(2)(b) of the Nairobi City County Tax Waivers Administration Act, 2013, and with the concurrence of the Governor, the County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning shall grant 100 per cent waiver on penalties and interest on land rates for those who will pay such land rates in full from May 20 to June 20, 2024," the gazette notice read in part.

This initiative is part of Governor Johnson Sakaja's strategy to enhance revenue collection for the county’s activities. Despite the ambitious target, the county has struggled to meet its revenue goals for the 2023–2024 financial year.

As per the Nairobi City County Revenue and Expenditure Report for the period ending March 31, 2024, the county collected Shh2.6 billion in land rates, falling short of the Sh7 billion target by over Sh4.4 billion.

Nairobi charges flat land rates that range from Sh2,560 to Sh4,800, depending on the land's zone. The rates for commercial, residential, and agricultural land amount to 0.115 per cent of the land value. Penalties for late payments accumulate at a rate of 3 per cent per month until the amount is settled in full.

The waiver comes as a relief for landowners who have been grappling with the burden of accumulated penalties and interests. By clearing their dues within the stipulated period, they can now avoid the additional financial strain of penalties.

The county government hopes that this incentive will encourage timely payments and help bridge the significant revenue gap. Governor Sakaja’s administration remains committed to finding innovative solutions to meet its financial targets and support the county’s development goals.

Landowners are urged to take advantage of this limited-time offer to settle their land rates and contribute to the county’s financial health. The success of this initiative could pave the way for similar measures in the future, fostering a more cooperative relationship between the county government and its residents.

For further details on the waiver and payment procedures, landowners can visit the Nairobi County offices or access information through the county’s official website.