By Linda Muhanji
The Nairobi County Government is preparing to take drastic measures, including cutting off essential services and redirecting tenant rent payments, in a bold move to recover over Ksh 10 billion in unpaid land rates from landlords.
Speaking during an interview with Radio Citizen on Thursday, Charles Kerich, the County Executive for Finance and Planning, said the city is being forced to take “radical steps” to increase revenue collection after years of non-compliance by property owners.
“We will tell tenants to begin paying their rent directly to us,” Kerich announced, adding that this will help the county recover money owed by landlords who have ignored multiple payment notices.
The announcement has sparked concerns about potential conflicts between landlords and tenants. However, Kerich maintained that the county is prepared to act firmly and within the law.
“We have reached a point where we must take action. Services like waste collection, water, and sewerage may be suspended for defaulters,” he warned.
Already, several properties in the capital have been clamped, with more enforcement expected over the next two months as the county intensifies a sweeping crackdown.
Kerich revealed that the county has compiled a list of over 1,000 properties with outstanding land rate arrears. He said the administration has filed a case with the Environment and Land Court (ELC), seeking to auction at least 200 properties as a warning to others.
“We want to make this auction public. Someone should see their title deed being auctioned off, and others will get the message,” Kerich said.
He emphasized that land in Nairobi is leased—mostly on 99-year terms—which the county has the legal authority to cancel in extreme cases of non-compliance.
The planned crackdown has sparked concern among city residents, particularly tenants who fear losing services like water in areas where supply is already unreliable.
Still, the county says the measures are necessary for restoring order and improving service delivery across the capital. Kerich argued that if all property owners paid what they owed, Nairobi would have sufficient funds to maintain roads, restock hospitals, and improve water infrastructure.
“We need fairness from residents and accountability from the county as well,” he concluded.
As the operation enters its third week, Nairobians should brace for more enforcement actions as the county attempts to close its growing revenue gap and strengthen fiscal discipline.
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