Nairobi landowners have just two days left to settle outstanding rates under the ongoing waiver before penalties and legal action are applied.
The county government has warned that any unpaid balances after December 31 will attract full interest and legal enforcement under the National Rating Act.
Tiras Njoroge, the county’s Receiver of Revenue, emphasised that the waiver period will not be extended and warned that the county will act decisively against long-standing defaulters. He said the waiver was intended as a last opportunity for landowners to regularise their accounts before stricter measures take effect in January 2026.
“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,” Njoroge said.
He added that persistent non-compliance places an unfair burden on the small proportion of landowners who consistently pay their rates, undermining the county’s ability to fund essential services. Any unpaid amounts after the waiver deadline will be treated as defaults, with full interest and penalties reinstated.
“It is unfair that only about 20 per cent of Nairobi landowners are currently paying land rates, leaving a small group of compliant ratepayers to shoulder the cost of essential county services,” Njoroge noted.
He warned that starting January, the county will use all lawful mechanisms to recover outstanding rates.
“Land rates fund roads, waste management, health services, public lighting, and other critical functions. The county aims to ensure that all land parcels contribute fairly to service delivery. Enforcement will proceed strictly within the law,” he said.
The county also cautioned landowners against unscrupulous individuals claiming to facilitate land rate payments. Njoroge urged residents to seek assistance only through official channels, including county sub-county revenue offices or the Nairobi Pay online platform.
Earlier, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja revealed that out of approximately 250,000 registered land parcels, only about 50,000 are compliant. He said low compliance undermines the county’s ability to deliver services and indicated that persistent defaulters could face tougher legal measures, including the clamping of buildings.
City Hall has urged all landowners to take action within the remaining days of the year, stressing that improved compliance is critical to boosting revenue, restoring fairness and enhancing service delivery across Nairobi County.
