Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku is facing mounting pressure from both local leaders and residents as a controversial clause in the county’s Finance Act, concerning freehold land charges, ignites widespread discontent.
Agitated residents strongly opposed the implementation of the contentious land rates clause, which mandates charges on freehold land, and are calling on the county leadership to retract the move.
Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) from five wards have united in opposition, calling on the county government to halt the imposition of the freehold land tax.
The leaders are demanding that the community be involved, through public participation, emphasising that the tax had already been rejected in the county assembly.
"If they charge freehold titles, it is like disturbing the residents because those with half an acre are charged Ksh5,000," said one MCA, expressing concerns about the financial burden the policy would place on landowners.
"How much will someone with five acres pay? That translates to people with 5 or 10 acres risking losing their land because some will not be able to pay."
The MCAs also claimed that the freehold land tax was not passed in the assembly and are appalled that it has been enacted in the Finance Act.
"As leaders, when it comes to the land rates proposal on freehold, we agreed that there would be no charges. We are appalled to see that the Finance Act of Kajiado has passed that freehold land will pay charges," another MCA stated.
The MCAs stressed their commitment to stand by their communities and rejected the implementation of the charges.
"We are here to reject it and support the interest of the community that elected us. We are asking the county government to work in the interest of the people," the ward representatives pleaded.
The introduction of freehold land rates in Kajiado sparked concerns that many landowners, particularly those holding large parcels, could face the risk of losing their land if they are unable to meet the financial demands.
Residents and MCAs alike are therefore urging Governor Lenku’s administration to reconsider the policy and seek input from the community before moving forward.
The controversy comes at a time when land ownership and usage remain a sensitive issue in Kajiado, with many locals reliant on large parcels of land for agricultural and economic purposes.