Properties linked to former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s relatives, ex-Senator Samson Ongeri and Royal Nairobi Golf Club are among those targeted in a Nairobi County crackdown on land rate defaulters.
Muigai Holdings Limited, owned by the late Peter Muigai Kenyatta (a stepbrother to President Uhuru Kenyatta), John Kamau Muigai and Richard Kamau Muigai, reportedly owe the county Sh118 million in accrued land rates according to CR12 registration documents.
Prof Ongeri’s properties, registered under parcel number 209/9499, have accumulated Sh51 million in arrears. Meanwhile, Lennah Catherine Koinange, daughter of Kenyatta-era minister Mbiyu Koinange, owes Sh14 million.
Royal Nairobi Golf Club, a premier urban golfing destination, is said to owe Sh827 million. However, the club has denied the claim, saying the matter stems from a previous billing error.
“We have been paying all our land rates and have the records to prove it. It is not true that we owe such a huge amount. The confusion arose from land rate bills issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority during the NMS era, but those issues were resolved,” said Mr Jacob Omondi, General Manager of the club.
Other high-profile defaulters listed include properties owned by the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Elysium Limited, Kenya Railways Sports Club, Riara Primary School, Uhuru Highway Limited, The Market Plaza Limited and General Motors.
Others are Kensalt Limited, Kenya Planters Cooperative Union, Teleposta Pension Scheme Registered Trustees, Kenya National Trading Corporation, Sports View Scrap Metal, Eldama Ravine, DH3 Kenya Limited and Riverside Ten Limited, among others.
Last Friday, the Nairobi County Government announced that defaulting properties will be denied essential services such as water supply, garbage collection, parking access and licensing support.
Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Revenue Officer Tiras Njoroge stated that the actions are backed by the new National Rating Act No 15 of 2024, which empowers counties to recover unpaid land rates through enforcement, including auctioning of properties.
“We are doing our part. Now we are taking action. For better services, everyone must pay what is due. We cannot have a city where the law applies selectively. We all want clean water, good roads and functioning hospitals and that requires revenue because they must apply equally to all,” said Mr Njoroge.
“Some of these properties are well-known commercial buildings in the city center, yet they owe us millions. We will disconnect services such as water and garbage collection until they meet their obligations,” he said.
The intensified enforcement follows the dispatch of final SMS notifications to over 5,000 property owners last weekend, warning of imminent auctions if payments are not made.
City Hall has also filed a case at the Environment and Land Court (ELC) seeking permission to use alternative methods to recover billions in unpaid land rates.
However, the county’s methods have faced criticism from rights groups and politicians who say the enforcement has been “inhumane.”
Just weeks ago, the county government forcibly evicted thousands of residents from old estates to recover rent arrears. Residents alleged that hired goons were used in the evictions, claims that City Hall has denied.
In a related clash earlier this year, Nairobi County had a standoff with Kenya Power after it cut off sewer and garbage services over unpaid utility bills.
Makadara MP George Aladwa has urged Governor Johnson Sakaja to handle the matter with more compassion and consider debt waivers or payment plans for affected residents.
“I urge the governor to ensure the rights of people being evicted are respected. Many have lived in those homes for years. Don't evict them because of debt nd discuss a payment plan and allow them to settle what they owe in installments,” he said.
MP Aladwa added that the high cost of living has affected everyone and landlords’ grievances must also be considered.
Data from City Hall reveals that of approximately 256,000 registered landowners in Nairobi, only 50,000 or about 20 percent have consistently paid their land rates in recent years.
