Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has announced an extension for the payment of land rates, giving property owners an additional 15 days to settle their dues. The new deadline is now set for April 15, 2026, and comes with a 3 per cent discount for all payments made within this window. The move aims to ease congestion at county customer care centres as thousands of property owners rush to avoid enforcement measures.
Speaking on Wednesday, Governor Sakaja said the extension was prompted by the overwhelming turnout at county service centres, where queues often stretched beyond official working hours. “Out of 250,000 parcels, we have only 50,000 accounts on the system. Unique parcels that are rate-paying are less than 120,000. However, we all want to be served better and have improved services from the county—it is only fair that we all pay,” he noted.
The governor emphasized that the extension would help decongest customer care centres and ensure no property owner is excluded from the payment process. “The additional 15 days will help us manage the long queues witnessed at our customer care centres so that we do not leave anyone behind,” he said.
This announcement comes as Nairobi City County intensifies efforts to improve compliance with land rates and broaden its revenue base. The county is also considering more stringent recovery measures, including the use of professional debt collectors, to pursue defaulters.
To accommodate residents, the county recently opened customer service centres over the weekend, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., giving residents more time to settle outstanding dues. Governor Sakaja described the extended service hours as part of a broader effort to improve accessibility and encourage voluntary compliance.
“This is an opportunity for property owners to take advantage of the 3 per cent discount and clear their arrears conveniently,” the governor added, urging residents to act promptly.
According to county data, only about 50,000 accounts are currently captured in the system, out of an estimated 250,000 registered land parcels. Less than 120,000 parcels are actively paying land rates, leaving a relatively small number of property owners carrying the burden of financing essential city services.
The governor expressed concern that persistent arrears, driven largely by accumulated penalties and interest, are undermining the county’s ability to provide basic services such as garbage collection, road maintenance, street lighting, and healthcare.
Nairobi County Receiver of Revenue, Tiras Njoroge, warned that enforcement against defaulters would begin immediately after the new deadline lapses. “Starting April 16, we will begin firm enforcement on land rates defaulters. We encourage all residents to comply early to avoid penalties and disruptions,” said Njoroge.
Njoroge explained that the county is now fully prepared, both legally and technologically, to enforce compliance across all rateable properties. Business owners operating from premises with unpaid land rates may also be held liable as rateable owners under the Rating Act, 2024, and relevant county regulations.
Enforcement measures after April 15 may include taking over rent collection, auctioning properties, placing charges through the Ministry of Lands, and issuing agency notices to commercial banks to recover unpaid rates. Njoroge added that the county has invested in digital systems that will make enforcement more efficient and reduce delays previously experienced in revenue collection.
The county stressed that payment of land rates is not only a legal obligation but also a critical source of funding for infrastructure, service delivery, and urban management. In the financial year ending June 2025, Nairobi recorded a historic KSh 13.8 billion in own-source revenue, a significant achievement attributed to increased compliance and improved administrative systems.
Experts argue that timely payment of land rates is essential for sustainable urban development. With Nairobi’s rapid population growth and expanding urban footprint, revenue from land rates is a vital resource to maintain public infrastructure and deliver essential services efficiently.
The county has also embarked on public awareness campaigns, urging residents to take advantage of the discount and extended deadline. These campaigns include community outreach programs, media adverts, and the use of social media platforms to ensure maximum visibility. Officials noted that the 3 per cent discount is a rare incentive, and property owners are encouraged to pay early to benefit from it.
Residents have expressed mixed reactions to the extension. While some appreciate the extra time and the discount, others call for more digital payment options to reduce the need for long queues at service centres. The county has acknowledged these concerns and indicated plans to roll out more mobile and online payment platforms to improve convenience and efficiency.
Governor Sakaja concluded by urging all Nairobi residents to embrace the opportunity to settle their land rates, highlighting that the funds directly contribute to improved service delivery and the overall development of the city. “Paying your land rates is not just a legal duty—it is an investment in a better Nairobi for all of us,” he emphasized.
With just over two weeks left until the extended deadline, county officials are preparing for a final surge in payments while ensuring systems are in place to handle the expected influx. Property owners who fail to comply risk facing enforcement actions that may affect their property rights and business operations.
The extension and discount initiative by Nairobi City County illustrates a balancing act between enforcing compliance and supporting residents with practical solutions to meet their obligations. By offering flexibility and incentives, the county hopes to improve participation and create a more equitable revenue collection system.
Speaking on Wednesday, Governor Sakaja said the extension was prompted by the overwhelming turnout at county service centres, where queues often stretched beyond official working hours. “Out of 250,000 parcels, we have only 50,000 accounts on the system. Unique parcels that are rate-paying are less than 120,000. However, we all want to be served better and have improved services from the county—it is only fair that we all pay,” he noted.
The governor emphasized that the extension would help decongest customer care centres and ensure no property owner is excluded from the payment process. “The additional 15 days will help us manage the long queues witnessed at our customer care centres so that we do not leave anyone behind,” he said.
This announcement comes as Nairobi City County intensifies efforts to improve compliance with land rates and broaden its revenue base. The county is also considering more stringent recovery measures, including the use of professional debt collectors, to pursue defaulters.
To accommodate residents, the county recently opened customer service centres over the weekend, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., giving residents more time to settle outstanding dues. Governor Sakaja described the extended service hours as part of a broader effort to improve accessibility and encourage voluntary compliance.
“This is an opportunity for property owners to take advantage of the 3 per cent discount and clear their arrears conveniently,” the governor added, urging residents to act promptly.
According to county data, only about 50,000 accounts are currently captured in the system, out of an estimated 250,000 registered land parcels. Less than 120,000 parcels are actively paying land rates, leaving a relatively small number of property owners carrying the burden of financing essential city services.
The governor expressed concern that persistent arrears, driven largely by accumulated penalties and interest, are undermining the county’s ability to provide basic services such as garbage collection, road maintenance, street lighting, and healthcare.
Nairobi County Receiver of Revenue, Tiras Njoroge, warned that enforcement against defaulters would begin immediately after the new deadline lapses. “Starting April 16, we will begin firm enforcement on land rates defaulters. We encourage all residents to comply early to avoid penalties and disruptions,” said Njoroge.
Njoroge explained that the county is now fully prepared, both legally and technologically, to enforce compliance across all rateable properties. Business owners operating from premises with unpaid land rates may also be held liable as rateable owners under the Rating Act, 2024, and relevant county regulations.
Enforcement measures after April 15 may include taking over rent collection, auctioning properties, placing charges through the Ministry of Lands, and issuing agency notices to commercial banks to recover unpaid rates. Njoroge added that the county has invested in digital systems that will make enforcement more efficient and reduce delays previously experienced in revenue collection.
The county stressed that payment of land rates is not only a legal obligation but also a critical source of funding for infrastructure, service delivery, and urban management. In the financial year ending June 2025, Nairobi recorded a historic KSh 13.8 billion in own-source revenue, a significant achievement attributed to increased compliance and improved administrative systems.
Experts argue that timely payment of land rates is essential for sustainable urban development. With Nairobi’s rapid population growth and expanding urban footprint, revenue from land rates is a vital resource to maintain public infrastructure and deliver essential services efficiently.
The county has also embarked on public awareness campaigns, urging residents to take advantage of the discount and extended deadline. These campaigns include community outreach programs, media adverts, and the use of social media platforms to ensure maximum visibility. Officials noted that the 3 per cent discount is a rare incentive, and property owners are encouraged to pay early to benefit from it.
Residents have expressed mixed reactions to the extension. While some appreciate the extra time and the discount, others call for more digital payment options to reduce the need for long queues at service centres. The county has acknowledged these concerns and indicated plans to roll out more mobile and online payment platforms to improve convenience and efficiency.
Governor Sakaja concluded by urging all Nairobi residents to embrace the opportunity to settle their land rates, highlighting that the funds directly contribute to improved service delivery and the overall development of the city. “Paying your land rates is not just a legal duty—it is an investment in a better Nairobi for all of us,” he emphasized.
With just over two weeks left until the extended deadline, county officials are preparing for a final surge in payments while ensuring systems are in place to handle the expected influx. Property owners who fail to comply risk facing enforcement actions that may affect their property rights and business operations.
The extension and discount initiative by Nairobi City County illustrates a balancing act between enforcing compliance and supporting residents with practical solutions to meet their obligations. By offering flexibility and incentives, the county hopes to improve participation and create a more equitable revenue collection system.
