The Nairobi County Government is planning to introduce tough new measures targeting landlords who have failed to pay their land rate arrears, a move that could significantly impact thousands of tenants across the city.
According to Charles Kerich, the County Executive for Finance and Planning, the administration is considering withdrawing essential services like waste collection and water supply from properties whose owners are defaulting on rates.
As a more aggressive step, the county is also mulling over redirecting tenant rent payments straight to City Hall, bypassing landlords entirely. This would act as a revenue recovery method to help Nairobi County reclaim billions in unpaid land rates.
“We’re going to instruct tenants in these properties to pay their rent directly to us,” Kerich said in a Thursday interview on Radio Citizen.
This controversial move has already sparked concerns about possible conflict between tenants and landlords. When questioned about this risk, Kerich maintained that the county is determined to act firmly and decisively.
He warned that landlords who refuse to pay their dues would face the withdrawal of critical services, including garbage collection, water supply, and sewer services, all of which would severely affect the quality of life for tenants living in those buildings.
Water shortages are already a major problem for many residents in Nairobi, and the county’s crackdown could make things even worse for those who live in properties listed as defaulters.
In addition to service cuts and rent redirection, the county has announced that it may also repossess and auction prime properties whose owners have persistently failed to settle their land rates.
This plan is backed by the recently passed National Rating Act 2024, which gives the county the legal power to enforce these drastic measures.
“Land is often leased for 99 years, but that lease can be canceled if rates aren’t paid,” Kerich explained.
To begin with, the county is targeting 200 properties. Kerich revealed that they have already filed a case at the Environment and Land Court (ELC) to obtain court orders that will allow the auctioning of these properties. The move is meant to send a strong message to other defaulters.
“We want to put this auction in the public eye so people can witness titles being sold off. That will serve as a warning,” Kerich emphasized.
The crackdown is part of a two-month campaign that has already seen some buildings in the capital clamped for non-payment. Despite the action, some property owners remain defiant, forcing the county to turn to legal means to recover the funds.
“We are now moving to court to auction those properties to the highest bidders,” Kerich said. “This is the third week of the operation, and we’re not slowing down.”
Nairobi County is currently chasing Ksh10 billion in unpaid land rates, which officials say is desperately needed to improve public services. According to Kerich, if landlords paid what they owe, the city would be able to repair roads, provide clean water, and stock health facilities with medicine.
“We need fairness from our residents and responsibility from the county as well. Everyone must contribute their share if we want to build a better Nairobi,” he concluded.
As Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration continues with the campaign, Nairobi tenants could find themselves caught in the crossfire—facing rent redirection orders, service disruptions, or even displacement if their homes end up in the auction listings.
The coming weeks will be critical in determining how this aggressive revenue recovery plan plays out across the capital.
Join Gen Z New WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
