Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration has warned Nairobi landlords that there will be no extension of land rate payments.
According to a press release dated Monday, December 29, 2025, the receiver of revenue at Nairobi County, Tiras Njoroge, stated that the county will penalize land rate defaulters, stressing that the waiver will not be extended.
“This waiver is the last soft landing. Once it expires on December 31, we will fully apply the law, including the provisions of the National Rating Act, to recover outstanding land rates,” said Njoroge.
He added that the waiver was set as a relief window to allow landowners to regularize their accounts before stricter enforcement began in January.
Sakaja Warns Nairobi Landlords with Delayed Land Rate Payments
The Receiver of Revenue at Nairobi County, Tiras Njoroge, noted that long-standing non-compliance has placed an unfair burden on the small fraction of landowners who consistently pay land rates, undermining the county’s ability to fund basic services.
He highlighted that any unpaid amount after December 31 will be treated as default, with full interest and penalties reinstated.
“It is unfair that only about 20 percent of Nairobi landowners are currently paying land rates, leaving a small group of compliant ratepayers to shoulder the cost of essential county services,” Njoroge said.
However, Njoroge stressed that in January, the county will deploy all lawful mechanisms to recover all outstanding rates.
“This is not sustainable. Land rates fund roads, waste management, health services, public lighting, and other critical functions. The county wants to correct this imbalance so that all land parcels contribute fairly to service delivery. Enforcement will proceed strictly within the law,” he warned.
Therefore, the county also cautioned landowners against being misled by conmen claiming to facilitate land rate payments, as Njoroge advised ratepayers to seek assistance only through official channels by visiting county sub-county revenue offices or using the official Nairobi Pay online platform.
Governor Sakaja Grants Full Waiver on Nairobi County Land Rate Penalties and Interest
Earlier, the Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja, announced a 100 percent waiver on penalties and interest accrued on land rates, provided the principal amount was to be paid in full between December 15 and December 31, 2025.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 5 (2) (a) of the Nairobi City County Tax Waivers Administration Act, 2013, the County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning in concurrence with the Governor, Nairobi City County, grants 100% waiver of penalties and interest on land rates if the principal is paid in full from the 15th December, 2025 to the 31st December, 2025.”
During this window, property owners who would have settled their outstanding principal land rates would not be required to pay any penalties or interest that may have accumulated.
Also Read: Governor Sakaja Grants Full Waiver on Nairobi County Land Rate Penalties and Interest
This move was expected to ease the financial burden on ratepayers while enabling the county to recover significant arrears before the close of the financial year.
Revenue Mobilization Strategy by Sakaja
The Nairobi County Government has long struggled with low compliance with land rate payments, despite these payments being a critical revenue stream for funding essential services such as waste management, road maintenance, and healthcare.
Nairobi remains the single most significant contributor to pending bills among Kenya’s 47 counties.
Accumulated penalties and interest have often discouraged property owners from settling their dues, leaving the county with billions in arrears.
Governor Sakaja’s administration views the waiver as a strategic intervention to reverse this trend.
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By eliminating penalties and interest for a limited period, the county aims to encourage property owners to clear outstanding balances and restore compliance.
The administration expects this approach to generate significant cash flow into county accounts before the close of the financial year, enabling the government to meet budgetary obligations and improve service delivery.
“This waiver is a strategic measure to enhance compliance and improve cash flow for the county. We urge all property owners to take advantage of this opportunity before the deadline.”
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