May 3, 2026
Governor Sakaja Gives Nairobi Landlords Year-End Land Rates Waiver

Governor Sakaja Gives Nairobi Landlords Year-End Land Rates Waiver

Nairobi landlords have been granted a brief reprieve when Governor Johnson Sakaja issued a new land rate waiver despite concerns about a widening compliance situation.

Nairobi County announced in a statement on Sunday, December 14, that the waiver will be in effect from December 15 to December 31.

The County has wiped off 100% of accumulated interest and penalties for landowners who pay off their existing arrears within the time frame.

According to Receiver of Revenue Tiras Njoroge, the incentive is the county government’s last-ditch effort to alleviate the burden on taxpayers over the holiday season while simultaneously increasing the country’s own-source revenue.

“This is an opportunity to correct any outstanding land rates you may have accumulated. Take advantage of the waiver, which wipes out 100 per cent of interest and penalties,” Tiras said.

Despite the inducement, Njoroge has warned that landowners who fail to update their land rate records will be classified as defaulters from January 1. The present waiver period will serve as a final gentle landing.

He added, “Come January 1, 2025, it will not be business as usual; any unpaid amount will be treated as default.”

Governor Sakaja disclosed earlier this year that, despite the fact that Nairobi has 250,000 registered land parcels, only around a quarter of them pay their land rates.

Sakaja maintained that widespread nonpayment was directly related to key county government services such as roads, waste management, health, and public lighting.

The warning came weeks after the governor stated that landlords will have to pay extra for land rates beginning January 1, 2026.

In a notice shared on Friday, October 24, 2025, County Executive Committee Member for Built Environment and Urban Planning, Patrick Mbogo, informed land and property owners that new rates were set under the power of the National Rating Act, 2024.

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Under revised directives, flat rate zones will be charged as follows: Land not exceeding 0.1 hectares will be charged Ksh2,560.

This is the lowest tier under the new structure, targeting the smallest land parcels.

For properties falling between 0.1 and 0.2 hectares, the annual flat rate charge will be Ksh3,200. Land parcels larger than 0.2 hectares but not exceeding 0.4 hectares will be charged Ksh4,000 per year.

Failure to comply with these rates will lead to tougher enforcement measures, including clamping of buildings, for persistent non-compliance.

Governor Sakaja Gives Nairobi Landlords Year-End Land Rates Waiver

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