Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson has issued a stern warning to land rate defaulters, announcing that the county’s revenue collection department has intensified its enforcement efforts as the financial year draws to a close.
Speaking during the CBK Police Housing event in Industrial Area, Sakaja defended the county’s recent clampdown on property owners who have failed to pay land rates.
"Some people have not been happy with the revenue collection drive we’re conducting in Nairobi, including the clamping of buildings that have defaulted on land rates," Sakaja said.
"But Mr. President, allow me to say it is very unfair. Mama Mboga pays her dues every single day in the market. Yet people are living in posh estates, owning buildings in the city, who won’t pay a single shilling in land rates. We all want better services, but that cannot happen if we’re not contributing."
He added that the county government has scaled up operations to ensure that every property owner pays what is due, and promised that no one will be spared in the ongoing crackdown.
''We shall not let a few people avoid their obligations while others carry the burden. The crackdown continues,'' he said.
Further, Sakaja defended the city government's decision to evict residents who had been living in county houses, maintaining that they had defaulted in their rent obligations for 15 years.
He added that out of the 255,000 parcels of land in Nairobi, the government had only 50,000 landowners who were active and recognised by the county, indicating an intensified looming crackdown.
At the same time, Governor Sakaja emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in transforming Nairobi into a world-class city, urging for more resource allocation to the devolved unit.
''Last week, the Mayor of Paris visited and shared that Paris, with a population of 2 million, operates on a Sh132 billion budget. Nairobi, with over 7 million residents, runs on much less — yet we still expect Paris-level services. That is impossible if we can’t even pay for unified business permits and land rates,'' Sakaja noted.
Meanwhile, according to sources from the City Hall, the county’s revenue department, led by Receiver of Revenue Tiras Njoroge, has doubled its efforts and pledged to continue the operation throughout June.
Nairobi aims to collect over Ksh10 billion in outstanding rates, funds that will be fundamental in ensuring 'essential transformation' of the city, according to Njoroge.
