Nairobi rolls out land rates waiver as compliance drops to 25%

Nairobi County has announced a fresh land rates waiver as officials warn that a growing compliance crisis is undermining the capital’s ability to deliver basic services.

The one-off waiver, running from December 15 to December 31, 2025, allows landowners to clear outstanding land rate arrears with all accumulated interest and penalties fully waived.

County Receiver of Revenue Tiras Njoroge said the move is intended to encourage payment during the festive period while shoring up the county’s own-source revenue.

“This is an opportunity for ratepayers to clear outstanding land rates. The waiver removes 100 percent of interest and penalties, but from January 1, any unpaid amount will be treated as default,” Njoroge said.

The waiver comes against the backdrop of low compliance levels. Earlier this year, Governor Johnson Sakaja revealed that only about 50,000 of Nairobi’s 250,000 registered land parcels are paying land rates.

“The biggest revenue earner in any city is property tax. In Nairobi, only a quarter of landowners are paying land rates. That is not sustainable,” Sakaja said.

He linked the shortfall directly to funding constraints affecting essential services, including road maintenance, waste management, health services and public lighting.

According to the governor, the county has now completed a comprehensive database of all registered land parcels, clearing the way for stricter enforcement.

“Now that we have complete data, it is time to collect what is due so we can deliver services. We have given enough time; going forward, we shall enforce,” he said.

Ratepayers can access their bills through the Nairobi Services portal or visit City Hall Annexe and sub-county offices. The county has also opened phone and email support channels for inquiries.

Njoroge described the waiver as the final grace period, warning that enforcement will begin immediately after December 31.

“Defaulters will be required to pay the full principal, together with reinstated interest and penalties,” he said.

Governor Sakaja also signalled tougher legal action against persistent defaulters, including the clamping of buildings, as provided for under the law.

The county is urging landowners to take advantage of the waiver, warning that improved compliance is critical to stabilising Nairobi’s finances and sustaining public services.