Water supply, garbage services cut as Nairobi County cracksdown on landrate defaulters

Water supply, garbage services cut as Nairobi County cracksdown on landrate defaulters

Nairobi County Government's Receiver of Revenue Tiras Njoroge. PHOTO| COURTESY

The Nairobi County Government continues to intensify its crackdown on land rate defaulters, with over 100 high-profile properties being disconnected from essential county services.

The affected properties—comprising prominent commercial and residential buildings—are being cut off from services such as water supply, garbage collection, parking access, and licensing support.

The enforcement action is part of the County’s broader revenue recovery campaign targeting property owners with significant unpaid land rates. According to Receiver of Revenue Tiras Njoroge, the decision to deny services is within the law and necessary to push defaulters to settle their dues.

“Some of these properties owe millions, yet their owners continue to benefit from county services without making any effort to pay. This is no longer acceptable,” Njoroge said.

He added that many of the properties listed have already received repeated warnings, including clamping notices and SMS alerts, but have failed to respond.

The County recently sent out final SMS notifications to over 5,000 property owners, warning of potential auction under the National Rating Act No. 15 of 2024. The Act gives counties the authority to seize and sell properties to recover unpaid rates.

In addition to disconnection of services, Nairobi City County is also pursuing legal measures to enforce compliance. These include securing court orders for debt recovery, placing caveats through the Ministry of Lands to prevent transactions involving listed properties, and preparing for auction proceedings.

Njoroge stressed that continued non-compliance by wealthy property owners places an unfair burden on regular ratepayers, including small traders and homeowners. “We all want clean water, functioning roads, and quality public services. That requires revenue, and the law must apply equally to all,” he said.

The County has vowed to sustain the enforcement campaign into the next financial year. Property owners have been urged to settle their arrears promptly or face escalating consequences, including legal action, auction, and full withdrawal of county services.

 

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Nairobi County Johnson Sakaja Tiras Njoroge

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