Residents in Kiambu County have launched a campaign against newly implemented land tax increases, forming a coalition to demand the suspension of the rates until public consultation occurs. The group, led by Zayuni Mbugua, highlighted disparities in charges, with some property owners facing hikes exceeding 100 times their previous payments.
Mbugua cited examples such as Thindigua Estate, where annual fees jumped from Sh350 to Sh38,000 per plot, and Githurai residents paying Sh6,000 for a 40-by-60 plot—up from Sh2,000 in 2018. He questioned the rationale behind varying rates for identical plot sizes, noting some landowners in Githurai and Kahawa Sukari paid Sh17,500 versus Sh6,400 for similar properties.
County Governor Ferdinand Waititu announced the suspension of the rates to facilitate negotiations, claiming the increases originated from a 2015 policy. "Public participation occurred in 2015, but we've paused implementation to reach a consensus," he stated. However, critics argue the process lacked transparency, with landowners alleging they were excluded from decision-making.
Rose Wachira of the lobby group accused Waititu of breaking campaign promises to reduce levies, while Peter Mwaura threatened legal action. The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) also condemned the rates as "exorbitant and unlawful," citing lack of stakeholder consultation in their implementation.
