The Nairobi County Government has announced a tough operation targeting landlords who have failed to pay land rates. The crackdown is set to begin on Monday, May 11, following the end of the waiver period granted by the county.
In a statement released on Sunday, May 11, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja confirmed that the county is fully prepared to deploy enforcement officers in all sub-counties across Nairobi to ensure compliance.
The County’s Receiver of Revenue, Tiras Njoroge, revealed that the enforcement teams will first target high-end areas like Westlands, Upper Hill, Kilimani, and the Industrial Area. Once those locations are covered, the operation will expand to residential estates throughout the city.
Njoroge explained that officers will issue notices, clamp properties, and begin legal action against persistent defaulters—landowners who did not settle their dues by the April 30, 2025 deadline.
He added that the county will not hesitate to publish the names of long-term defaulters in the interest of transparency and accountability.
“This action follows Governor Sakaja’s recent revelation that only about 20 per cent of landowners in Nairobi—approximately 50,000 out of the 256,000 registered land parcels—are actively paying their land rates,” read part of the statement from the Governor’s office. “This situation is not sustainable and is deeply affecting service delivery in the city.”
The county had previously offered a waiver period, giving defaulters a chance to clear their arrears without penalties. However, officials say that many ignored the opportunity, pushing the county to take tougher action.
Residents of Nairobi are now being encouraged to log onto the official Nairobi Revenue Portal to check their land rate status and clear any outstanding balances before the enforcement teams arrive at their properties.
To support the operation, the county government has introduced a new digital system that maps out all 256,000 land parcels in the capital. Njoroge assured that the advanced system will help track payments accurately and make it harder for anyone to avoid paying land rates.
Nairobi County aims to collect over Ksh10 billion in unpaid land rates through this operation. According to Njoroge, the funds are crucial for implementing key development projects and improving public services in the city.
“We want fairness. Everyone must contribute their part. It’s not right for a small number of responsible citizens to carry the burden for those who refuse to comply,” he stated.
“We know times are hard. That’s why the Governor had extended the waiver to offer relief. But some people have taken this leniency for granted. We are left with no choice but to act decisively.
The city needs these funds to maintain vital services such as garbage collection, road repair, and healthcare,” Njoroge added.
The county has promised that this time, enforcement will be serious and consistent, and defaulters should expect significant consequences if they fail to pay up.
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