Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku has warned allotment plot owners in Kajiado that they risk losing their land due to unpaid land rates.
While addressing the Kajiado county assembly during the opening of the fourth session, Lenku said that those who default payment will be repossessed and the land given to other residents who are willing to partner with the county through land rates payment.
“The county government will soon begin to repossess and reallocate parcels whose land rates and rents will remain unpaid. I direct the department of lands and finance to commence this fourth with,” said Hon. Lenku
He remarked that land is a major resource in the county and is supposed to contribute a big chunk of own source revenue but it is not the case at the moment.
“In the 2023/2024 financial year, land rates yielded only 74 million shillings which is far more below our potential. We are projecting to double this amount in this financial year and I direct the relevant department to put up stringent measures to ensure we chart a new revenue path towards raising at least 200 million shillings from land rates in this financial year. This is a revenue stream that we have not fully utilized,” said the governor.
He remarked that the underperformance has been contributed by among other factors ongoing litigation on collection of revenue related to land with free hold titles.
The Governor said that the conservatory orders issued in December last year are only applicable to freehold properties and this notwithstanding property with allotment letters, both commercial and residential and those with leasehold title deeds were not affected and thus all charges related to them are reinforceable.
He urged members of the county assembly especially from the urban and Peri urban zones to desist from inciting members of the public against payment of the land rates.
“It is very clear which properties are affected by the court order and those which are not. Do not come running to us in protest when we begin the process of repossessing and reallocating land for defaulters,” emphasized governor Lenku.
In addition, the governor revealed that through the alternative justice system model, the county has successfully resolved 328 out of 400 land related cases.
Addressing the press after the governor’s speech, John Loisa, the Majority leader in the Kajiado county assembly urged the defaulters to pay the land rates as soon as possible as it is the law.
On his part, Stephen Ngatho, the Majority Chief whip said that land is a very emotive issue and the small scale land owners should not pay land rates on freehold titles.
Member of County Assembly, Ewuaso Oo Nkidong’i ward, Joseph Toris, urged the county government to conduct sensitization forums first before the repossessing and reallocation of land parcels is done.
Kajiado residents filed a petition on August 19, 2024 regarding the imposition of land rates on freehold properties as stated in the Kajiado Finance Act 2023.
The High Court on December 4, 2024, issued a ruling that bars the county from collecting these rates on freehold land. The case will be heard again on February 26, 2024.
By Diana Meneto
