Landlords in Nyeri County have been offered a break by Governor Mutahi Kahiga, who announced a 100 per cent waiver on land rates interest for all defaulters in the county for the upcoming month.
In a notice published in the May 26 issue of the Daily Nation, the governor revealed that this was part of the county's pursuit of economic recovery.
The landlords who qualify for this waiver are those with any outstanding interests between May 26 and June 20.
"The County Government of Nyeri, with the approval of Dr Mwalimu Mutahi Kahiga, PhD., EG.H., as part of the economic recovery strategy, hereby gives notice to all Land Rates defaulters that 100% of interest sums outstanding as of 26 May 2025-20 June 2025 will be waived on the following conditions," the notice read.
However, the landlords have to clear in full the total principal land rate arrears and pay 10 per cent administrative costs based on the principal amount payable so as to enjoy this waiver.
The governor further warned that failure of the land rate defaulters to pay could lead to legal consequences, including five specific ones.
Firstly, if landlords fail to pay, their tenants will be compelled to pay directly to the county government until the land rates and interest are fully paid.
Another consequence for defaulters would be the cancellation or withdrawal of any license/permit granted on the premises where land rates have not been paid.
The county would further withhold any development approval until full payment of land rates is received for the said land.
Another legal action would be to charge the property for unpaid rates plus interest until the full amount is cleared, and lastly, they would be denied other services offered by the Nyeri County government.
The property owners were also directed to only pay the amounts into the county's bank account and present their bank slips immediately after payments for receipting to avoid late payment penalties.
Those who transferred property ownership have been asked to ensure that they update the property details with the County on or before the expiry of the waiver period.
"Upon expiry of this waiver period, the County shall publish the names of the defaulters and initiate the legal process for recovery of the outstanding rates. Further note that the County Government will not take any liability for publishing wrong Plot details," the notice concluded.
