The Nairobi County Government under the leadership of Governor Johnson Sakaja has revealed plans to introduce a new court for all disputed land valuation cases in the county.
As outlined in the Nairobi County Citizen Budget 2024-2025, the valuations court shall be introduced to solve the pending bills between land owners and the county.
The valuation court will hear all disputing land owners who are contesting the land rates or their property valuations. It will also allow the county to collect all the money owed by landlords.
"Nairobi county will establish a valuations court, to solve the pending bills between land owners and the county," reads part of the document.
One of the benefits of this special court is that the disputes shall be resolved in a timely and fair manner. Also, it is expected to encourage more landowners to pay their dues on time.
Notably, the valuations court is one of the ways the county seeks to promote sustainable urban development as well as increase the quality of life in Nairobi.
Other measures taken to meet this goal are through the Building Environment and Planning sector which will formulate urban development plans, enforce surveillance and compliance, and regulate unauthorised development and process development applications.
If the proposal in implemented, Nairobi will join Nyeri County which has introduced a valuations court in the past. There is also a Valuation for Rating Act that allows county governments to value land for the purpose of rates.
According to the Act, each county government shall establish a valuation court which will consist of a magistrate or an advocate who will serve as the chairman and two members appointed with the approval of the minister.
"The expenses of every valuation court, including the expenses or costs of the court or of the chairman thereof incurred in litigation, shall be borne by the local authority appointing the court," reads part of the Act.
On land rates, the county has been on a mission to increase the amount collected from Nairobi landowners. This has seen Kenyans in the city with apartments paying land rates which took effect in January.
This new requirement mandates that all apartment owners pay rates depending on the size of the apartment and its location. The owners will also pay rates for common areas such as swimming pools, playgrounds and parking.
Governor Sakaja defended this proposal by saying it will help the county collect enough to run Nairobi and provide much-needed services.
