Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja on Wednesday, July 5, threatened to auction city buildings over non-payment of land rates.
Besides threatening to auction the buildings, the governor directed county officials to take immediate action to close down any businesses operating within these non-compliant buildings.
The governor emphasised that the decision to shut down these businesses was made after the expiration of a 14-day grace period previously granted by the county.
"That action of closing down and eventually auctioning the buildings which fail to pay land rates to Nairobi County will start immediately.
"Owners are therefore advised to comply with this notice and clear the land rates to avoid the loss of their property," Sakaja directed them while giving payment options to the affected landlords.
The former Nairobi Senator maintained that all the businesses operating under those premises will remain closed until the owners clear the pending bills.
"A notice issued giving building owners with pending land rates arrears to clear them within 14 days has lapsed. For that reason, the county has been compelled to take necessary action to compel them to abide by the directive," the notice read in part.
In April, Sakaja extended the land rates repayment period without penalties. The city boss indicated that the extension was meant to encourage compliance among property owners.
The shutting down of the properties came after Sakaja announced that his administration will focus on revenue collection to finance his 2023/24 budget.
Sakaja also raised levies for select businesses within the city in the 2023/24 financial year.
"The increase of existing charges to cover the cost of service delivery with direct impact on the quality of service given to the citizens.
"All the funds collected will be used to improve the County Health facilities and put them at par with the private health centres," Finance County Executive Charles Kerich stated in Sakaja's inaugural budget as city boss.
