Nairobi County’s Revenue Administration and ICT
Infrastructure Chief Officer, Tiras Njoroge has confirmed that a comprehensive
mapping of buildings ahead of a crackdown due to land rates defaulting was completed
Monday.
Speaking at the Nairobi Customer Care Centre, Tiras stated
that with the report now ready, a major operation targeting land rates
defaulters will commence tomorrow.
He added that Monday was set aside for final preparations by
county officials.
“Today, our officers were out in the field marking out
non-compliant buildings. We have the list, we know the locations, and
logistically we are ready,” said Njoroge.
“After a full day of printing banners and notices, we are
set to start the crackdown from 8 a.m. tomorrow.”
The campaign follows a directive to enforce compliance among
landowners who have defaulted on paying land rates.
Of the 256,000 land parcels in Nairobi County, only about
50,000 are up to date on payments.
“It’s a sad affair, Yet the rest still expect services from
the county. We’ve given them ample time. Now we are moving forward with
enforcement,” he said.
According to the county, it seeks to recover up to Sh10
billion in unpaid land rates.
Property owners who
are in arrears will have their buildings marked, clamped, and notices issued to
tenants, advising them to redirect rent payments directly to the Nairobi County
revenue account until the debts are cleared.
“What we’re doing is fully within the law, and we will not
relent, Our officers have returned with comprehensive reports. Everything is
ready—from posters to personnel. Tomorrow, the clampdown begins,” he said.
Land is the most significant sector for revenue mobilization
in cities, and if Nairobi County successfully collects land rates, it could
generate an extra Sh10 billion for the county.
