Nairobi County clamps down over 1,900 buildings in bid to recover Ksh.50B in unpaid landrates

The Nairobi County Government has so far clamped down over 1,927 buildings across Capital as City Hall intensifies efforts to recover more than Ksh.50 billion in unpaid dues by land rates defaulters.

The multi-agency clampdown operation, which continues this week, was last week led by the county’s Receiver of Revenue, Tiras Njoroge, and the Chief Officer in the Office of the Governor, Priscilla Mahinda.

“This is not just about enforcement—it’s about restoring fiscal order and ensuring that property owners meet their legal obligations to the people of Nairobi,” Njoroge confirmed.

The operation targeted both commercial and residential properties with significant land rates arrears. Affected buildings include Uganda House, a private parking lot on Taifa Road in the CBD, as well as properties in Westlands, Lavington, Kileleshwa, and Kilimani, extending further into 17 sub-counties. In some cases, defaulting landlords owe tens of millions of shillings.

County officials confirmed that a dedicated committee has been formed to determine the fate of the clamped properties.

Among the options being considered are public auctions of properties whose owners fail to comply, and re-routing tenant rent payments directly to the county government, as allowed under existing laws.

Mahinda emphasized that this is only the beginning of a sustained campaign to enforce revenue compliance.

“We are not relenting. It is only fair that everyone pays what is due to the county. In return, the county must deliver for Nairobians and ensure services reach everyone,” she said.

Officials added that future operations will also target billboard clutter, rent defaults in county estates, and other forms of revenue leakage.