The Nairobi County government has opened a six-month amnesty that will allow housing developers and property owners to regularise unauthorised developments without paying penalties.
In a notice on Thursday, December 18, the county government said that developers should take advantage of this window and “submit what you have”, even if documentation is incomplete, to start the regulation process.
Submissions should be made through the Nairobi Planning and Development Management System (NPDMS), sub-county offices, or City Hall, according to the notice.
According to the County Executive Committee Member for Built Environment and Urban Planning, Patrick Mbogo, officials from the County Urban Planning Department will guide applicants on the additional documents they will be required to submit for their applications to be successful.
The department will then issue conditional approvals to the applicant, and later, a Certificate of Compliance after the applicant has met the conditions.
"The regularisation covers developments such as change or extension of use to land or buildings, subdivisions and amalgamations of land, building plans, occupation approvals, and lease renewals," the notice read.
"However, the county has drawn a clear line on exclusions, stating that structures on public land, riparian reserves, protected areas, unsafe buildings, and developments violating court orders will not be regularised," it added.
The move aims at enhancing property rights, reducing enforcement disputes and demolitions, and integrating developments into the county infrastructure, among others.
The county has noted that legal action shall be taken against developers and property owners who fail to comply with property regulatory directives.
Tax Waiver
The amnesty comes days after the county announced a 100 per cent tax waiver on landlords who clear their outstanding arrears to the county government this month.
In a statement on Sunday, December 14, Receiver of Revenue Tiras Njoroge revealed the waiver will run from December 15 to December 31.
"This is an opportunity to correct any outstanding land rates you may have accumulated. Take advantage of the waiver, which wipes out 100 per cent of interest and penalties," Tiras said.
