In a bid to bolster the county’s revenue collection, the Nairobi City County government has approved a series of measures to recover outstanding land rates from defaulters. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Governor Johnson Sakaja, marking a significant step towards strengthening the county’s financial position.
One of the key measures authorized is the auctioning of properties that owe land rates to the county. This move aims to recover the overdue payments and send a clear message that non-compliance with rate obligations will not be tolerated. Additionally, caveats will be imposed on all debt properties, preventing any transactions, including subdivision, amalgamation, and transfer, until the outstanding rates are fully settled.
Furthermore, the County Executive Committee (CEC) approved the issuance of agency notices for properties with rental income. This means that tenants will be required to pay rent directly to the Nairobi City County Government until the outstanding rates are fully settled by the property owners.
Governor Sakaja emphasized the importance of an efficient recovery process, directing county internal lawyers to handle the matter to avoid incurring exorbitant legal fees. He also urged all County Executive Committee Members and Chief Officers to provide the necessary resources, including vehicles, to enhance revenue collection efforts.
The county government recently published a list of rate defaulters in the media and granted a one-month grace period for property owners to settle the principal amount, waiving interest and penalties. This move aimed to encourage voluntary compliance and provide defaulters with an opportunity to clear their debts.
As of today, Nairobi has raised Ksh3.255,969,569 in land rates against a target of Ksh.7 billion, with two weeks left in the financial year. The total revenue collected stands at Ksh.12,262,100,000, the highest ever achieved by any county government since the advent of devolution, surpassing the previous record of Ksh.12.1 billion set in the 2015-2016 financial year.
Governor Sakaja commended the county revenue team for their efforts in surpassing the target, even during a period when enforcement was suspended to allow clients time to comply.
In a separate development, the Governor has directed the Environment sector to embark on a beautification project for Langata Cemetery. Recognizing the sentimental significance of the cemetery for many Nairobi residents, he instructed the “green army” to utilize existing resources and plans from the City Park tree nursery to enhance the appearance and ambiance of the burial ground.
As Nairobi strives to strengthen its financial position, the county government’s proactive measures to recover outstanding land rates and beautify public spaces demonstrate a commitment to fiscal responsibility and improving the city’s overall infrastructure.