Nairobi County has announced a limited-time waiver on penalties and interest for unpaid land rates, giving property owners until 31 December to settle principal arrears penalty-free.
The 17-day amnesty runs from 15 December to 31 December 2025. Landowners who clear their outstanding principal amounts during this period will have all accumulated penalties and interest wiped out.
One-off waiver to boost compliance
Charles Kerich, the county executive committee member for finance and economic planning, formalised the offer in a Kenya Gazette notice dated 16 December.
“This is a one-off 100% waiver on penalties and interest if the principal is paid in full,” Kerich said.
County receiver of revenue Tiras Njoroge urged ratepayers to act quickly, warning of stricter enforcement from next year.
“Take advantage of this window – it removes all interest and penalties. From 1 January 2026, it will not be business as usual; any unpaid amount will be treated as default,” Njoroge said.
Payments can be made through the Nairobi Services portal, City Hall Annexe or sub-county offices. Officials cautioned against using informal agents.
Low compliance hampers service delivery
Only around 50,000 of Nairobi’s roughly 250,000 registered land parcels – barely 20% to 25% – currently pay rates, according to Governor Johnson Sakaja.
“The biggest revenue earner in any modern city is property taxes. In Nairobi we have 250,000 pieces of land, but only 50,000 landowners are paying. That is not sustainable,” Sakaja said earlier this year.
The shortfall has affected funding for roads, waste collection, street lighting and health facilities in Kenya’s capital.
Land rates remain the county’s main own-source revenue, but widespread defaults have left billions in uncollected dues.
Urgency ahead of tougher measures
Nairobi has offered similar waivers in previous years, including May to June 2024 and October to November 2021.
However, officials say the current amnesty carries extra urgency. A new digital database of all registered parcels is now complete, paving the way for systematic enforcement from 2026.
Adjusted land rates are also expected to take effect on 1 January 2026, potentially raising bills for many properties.
By scheduling the waiver over the festive season, the county aims to ease pressure on landowners while boosting year-end collections.
City Hall has made clear that leniency ends on 31 December, after which full penalties and legal action will resume.
Thousands of Nairobi landlords now have until the end of the year to clear their arrears without extra charges.
