Freehold Land Owners To Pay Rates, Orders County Finance CECM Kisota
Property owners have been asked to familiarise themselves with the required provisions to ensure compliance
BY KURGAT MARINDANY
The Kajiado County government has been mandated by the county assembly to collect rates from freehold landowners.
The county minister for treasury Alais Kisota said freehold landowners are not exempted from paying rates.
Kisota said that under the constitution of Kenya 2010, Article 209 (3), county governments are empowered to impose property rates, collect rent where due and levy other revenue charges to enhance their revenue collections.
“In line with that mandate, the county assembly enacted and passed the Kajiado County Rating Act of 2016 and the corresponding Finance Act, which provides for clear guidelines and mechanisms for collection of the applicable rates and other revenue charges,” Kisota said.
He admitted that the county had noted a growing number of inquiries from property owners who believed that properties under freehold tenure are exempt from paying rates.
“They have assumed that rates are only applicable to leasehold properties,” he said.
The county finance minister said it is important to clarify that the Kajiado County Rating Act explicitly defines what constitutes a ratable property.
He added that the applicable Finance Act of 2023 clearly outlines the mechanisms for determining the rates and charges payable for each property regardless of tenure.
“We are encouraging all property owners to familiarise themselves with these provisions to ensure compliance and support the county’s efforts in raising revenue,” said Kisota.
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