- Nairobi County has taken over four buildings in the CBD as it begins a tough operation against land rate defaulters.
- Only 20% of registered landowners in Nairobi have cleared their dues, exposing a major revenue gap.
- The operation is led by County Receiver of Revenue Tiras Njoroge, who confirmed that more properties will be seized.
- The county says unpaid land rates are hurting service delivery and development projects.
- Amnesty offers and public reminders have failed, pushing City Hall to take stricter legal steps.
Nairobi County has launched a bold operation targeting landowners who have failed to pay land rates. On Tuesday, officials took control of four buildings in the Central Business District (CBD), sending a strong message to all defaulters. The operation is just the beginning of a wider enforcement plan meant to recover massive unpaid dues owed to the county.
Officials Blame Lack of Cooperation
According to County Receiver of Revenue Tiras Njoroge, landowners were given enough time and chances to clear their debts. Speaking during the operation, he stated that most owners ignored repeated reminders, leaving the county with no choice but to act.
“We’ve waited for goodwill, but many have ignored us. From Wednesday, we’re going after 20 more properties in key areas,” said Njoroge.
Most Landowners Are Not Paying
Out of 256,000 land parcels registered in Nairobi, only 50,000 are fully paid up—meaning just 20% are compliant. This low payment rate has left City Hall struggling to raise funds needed for critical services like waste collection, road maintenance, and hospital operations.
County Under Financial Pressure
With a growing wage bill and many development projects put on hold, the county government is under pressure to collect more money. Njoroge expressed disappointment that most defaulters still demand top services despite not contributing to the county’s revenue.
“It’s frustrating. The 80% who don’t pay are the loudest in demanding services. That’s not right,” he said.
Soft Measures Have Failed
Previous attempts to recover the money through grace periods, waivers, and public appeals have not worked. In response, the county has now prepared a full list of all non-compliant properties and warned that auctions and legal action will follow if payments are not made soon.
New Era of Accountability for Property Owners
This latest enforcement marks a shift in Nairobi’s approach to revenue collection. County authorities say they are now focused on ensuring that all landowners play their part in funding city services. Property owners have been advised to comply before harsher measures are rolled out.
