Businesses and property owners from Mombasa and Taita Taveta counties can breathe a sigh of relief after the two counties announced temporary waivers to ease the financial burden.
In an official notice dated April 17, Mombasa County announced that it was removing penalties and interest on land rates and single business permits for one month, between April 14 and May 14.
This means property owners and business permit holders in the county can clear their dues without extra charges for late payments.
"Notice is given that under the powers conferred by Article 210 of the Constitution, section 159 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012 and sections 6 and 7 of the Mombasa County Tax Waiver and Variation Act, 2017, the County Executive Committee Member Finance, do waive all penalties and interest on Land Rates and Single Business Permit," the notice read in part.
In Taita Taveta, Governor Andrew Mwandime, through Elijah Mwanzo, the CECM for Finance and Economic Planning, announced that the county was granting a 40 per cent waiver on unpaid land rates.
However, the waiver only applies if the remaining 60 per cent of the principal amount is fully paid by May 30.
"This waiver is aimed at encouraging compliance among defaulting ratepayers, facilitating recovery of outstanding revenues for county development, and ensuring a smooth transition to the new valuation roll by regularizing ratepayer accounts," the statement continued.
The move comes after Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir underscored the importance of supporting business and property owners during the tough economic times.
Nassir was speaking while appearing before the Senate's Committee on Roads, Housing, and Transportation on Thursday.
The waivers are usually a way for the counties to boost revenue collection.
Many property and business owners avoid settling their dues due to accumulated fines, but with the waiver in place, they are more likely to pay, helping counties recover much-needed funds for development projects and public services.
All interested parties have been encouraged to take advantage of the waivers.
