Kilifi County Governor Gideon Mung'aro has announced temporary waivers for businesses and property owners in Kilifi County to ease their financial burden
In an official notice dated April 23, Mung'aro stated that penalties and interest on land rates and single business permits were removed for one month, between May 1 and May 31.
The county's property owners and business permit holders can now clear their dues without extra charges for late payments.
“Gideon Mung’aro, Governor, Kilifi County, announces a 100 per cent WAIVER on all penalties and interest for all rateable Properties & Single Business Permits. You are hereby notified to clear outstanding dues before the notice lapses,” the post reads.
The move places Kilifi in line with neighbouring counties such as Mombasa and Taita Taveta, which also introduced similar waivers in recent days in a bid to support local businesses and residents grappling with economic strain.
On April 18, Mombasa County rolled out the waiver, announcing that it would remove penalties and interest on land rates and single business permits for one month, from April 14 to May 14.
"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 does 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 County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning, on the other hand, introduced a slightly different approach.
The county granted a 40 per cent waiver on unpaid land rates. The offer, however, came with a condition: the remaining 60 per cent of the principal amount must be paid in full by May 30 to qualify.
"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 regularising ratepayer accounts," the statement continued.
Counties in Kenya roll out waivers to encourage compliance and boost revenue collection in the long term. It also realised that strict penalties or high fees discourage residents from paying taxes or renewing licences.
Counties also use waivers as part of strategic economic recovery plans by reducing fees, especially for small-scale traders, farmers and entrepreneurs.
