A popular private parking lot in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) was on Monday, May 19, seized by Nairobi City County officials over defaulted land rates payments.
The Taifa Road parking, located behind the Kencom building, was the latest high-profile property seized in an ongoing crackdown by City Hall on land rate defaulters.
In a statement released by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, the parking, which is often used by hundreds of Nairobi motorists, reportedly owes the county over Ksh41.1 million in unpaid land rates, in addition to Ksh200,000 for an expired Unified Business Permit, which lapsed in March 2025.
Speaking to the media, Nairobi County Receiver of Revenue Tiras Njoroge confirmed that the county had taken control of the premises and will now directly collect parking fees from motorists until the outstanding arrears are settled.
“This Kencom private parking lot owes the county Ksh41 million. Starting today, we are taking over its operations to recover the money until the debt is fully paid,” she stated.
“We are committed to ensuring that every property owner pays their duties. Revenue from land rates and business permits is essential for delivering services to Nairobi residents,” Njoroge added.
The latest comes after City Hall on Wednesday, May 14, clamped down on the Grand Lodge of East Africa’s Freemasons’ Hall over alleged land rate arrears.
According to the revenue department, the Freemasons Hall on Nyerere Road had land rates debt amounting to Ksh19 million.
While addressing the press on Wednesday, May 14, the County Revenue Department, led by Chief Officer of the Governor Priscilla Mahinda and Chief Officer for Housing, Lydia Mathia, insisted that due process was followed in the closure of the hall.
Health CEC Silantoi further added that the crackdown on land defaulters would not end with the clamping down of buildings, as the County Revenue Department also revealed plans to disconnect services, including water and sewer lines.
Other properties that were affected during Monday’s enforcement exercise include a petrol station on Haile Selassie Avenue and a building on Koinange Street with both properties cumulatively owing Nairobi over ten million shillings.
Aside from paying land rates, business and property owners were urged to renew their Unified Business Permits promptly to avoid enforcement action.
