The Nairobi County government has issued a stern warning to landowners in the capital that they risk losing their properties after it emerged that many have not complied with notices to renew their land leases.
Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on NTV, Nairobi Chief Lands Officer Cecelia Koigu revealed that despite earlier notices by the county government and the National Lands Commission (NLC), a majority of property owners had yet to take action.
Koigu urged landowners to check their lease documents and ensure their details are up to date, noting that areas such as Pangani and Parklands have been most affected.
“We did publish a notice on the expiry of leases jointly with the National Lands Commission for landowners to apply for an extension of leasehold title five years before expiry. I want to urge Nairobians that if they have a lease, they should check the expiry dates,” she said.
She explained that the law stipulates any person with an inactive claim of ownership, including leaseholders, risks losing the land to the government, which, in Kenya’s case, is the county government under the 2010 Constitution.
“If they do not act, then the law stipulates that they will lose the land to the government. However, the owners of the land have preemptive rights, and the property cannot be allocated to anyone else unless the owner is proven to be untraceable,” Koigu added.
Reports indicate some landlords have been reluctant to renew their leases, with many already expired.
Koigu, however, clarified that there is typically a grace period even after expiry, but it is the responsibility of the owner to monitor their lease and act accordingly.
How to Renew a Land Lease
According to the law, renewing a land lease in Kenya requires careful attention to legal and administrative procedures to ensure continued ownership or use of the property.
For private land, the leaseholder should contact the landowner to express the intention to renew, while government or county land leases require engagement with the relevant authority, such as the Ministry of Lands or the county land office.
Applicants must prepare necessary documents, including a copy of the current lease, identification or company registration documents, tax compliance certificates if applicable, and payment receipts for previous lease periods.
Once approved, the leaseholder signs the renewed agreement and updates records at the land registry or county office to ensure the lease remains legally recognised.
