Trans Nzoia is owed Sh3 billion in land rates and the huge debt has stalled development projects.
The county says rates must be paid by January 31 or it will start repossession action and take defaulters to court.
County records show that Sky View Investment owes Sh75,610,949.
Defaulters include former MPs Wilberforce Kisiero of Mt Elgon (Sh1,223,027 ); Joseph Kiangoi of North Mugirango (Sh4,844,182 ); Fred Gumo of Westlands (Sh8,820,652 );Boaz Kaino of Marakwet East (Sh1,358,992 ); the estate of the late George Kapten of Kwanza with Sh20,902,334 and the estate of the late Sheldon Muchilwa of Emuhaya(Sh16,400,396 .
Others are former nominated Senator Catherine Mukite (Sh8,545,105 )
and former presidential escort Samson Cherambos (Sh1,637,326 ).
More than Sh1 billion is owed by government institutions.
The Kenya Railways Corporation leads with Sh413 million debt, followed by the Agricultural Development Corporation with Sh95,692,650, and the National Cereal and Produce Board owing Sh5 million.
Speaking to the Star on the phone yesterday in Kitale, officer in charge of lands Pascal Wekesa said since the waiver of interest in November 2017 they had a target of recovering Sh50 million.They fell short.
100 PER CENT WAIVER
The county granted a 100 per cent waiver of interest and penalties on rates if landowers paid between November 23 and December 22.
“We had targeted to get 50 million but now we are at Sh7 million. The response has been low,” he said.
Wekesa applauded Kenya Creameries Cooperatives and Kenya Seed Company for paying their land rates.County Deputy Governor Stanley Tarus has said measures will be taken against all defaulters.
“We will soon start to repossess all plots that have not been paid for and defaulters taken to court,” he said.
Taurus said that those who have not cleared debts will be denied approvals for development.
SERVICES MAY BE GROUNDED
He said the county urgently requires the money for services.
“Taxes are a vital component of our budget. If the dues are not collected, vital services in the county may be grounded,” he said.
He complained that the town’s expansion programmes have been hindered by lack of land, yet some prime plots remaine idle.
“We are failing in our service delivery because of the huge monies owed to the county. A lot of projects are stuck,” he said.
Tarus said the county administration was open to dialogue with land owners on any issue concerning land rates.
Tarus warned those bent on defaulting that the county will not hesitate to recover the money.
The county government has given defaulters until January 31 to clear their debts.
“Any rates that remain unpaid after the waiver will revert to the principal amount, plus interest and penalties,” he said.
The county will take legal measures to recover the rates.