By Ken Muthpmi - Reporter
Kenya, 3 April 2026 - Property owners in Mombasa are now set for a financial reprieve after the Mombasa County Government approved a 100% waiver on penalties and interests for outstanding land rates.
In a notice on Friday, 3 April, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir stated that the 45-day waiver will be valid from 1 April to 15 May 2026.
The county chief has said that property owners should take advantage of the waiver and settle their arrears without facing extra charges.
"The Governor of Mombasa County announces a 100% waiver on all penalties and interest for outstanding land rates. Clear your dues without extra charges," the notice read.
Property owners have been encouraged to make the payments through the Mombasa County ePortal or its Paybill.
“The governor has, however, cautioned that the county will take the necessary legal action against any individuals who will not have cleared their arrears after the lapse of the waiver period,” the notice read.
Land rates are mandatory annual taxes imposed by county governments on private, commercial, and some leasehold landowners within municipal and urban areas.
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They are authorised by the Rating Act (Cap 267) and Article 209(3) of the Constitution, and are also aimed at strengthening “own source revenue” to support overall county operations.
Counties utilise this revenue to fund local public services, including garbage collection, street lighting, infrastructure maintenance, water and sanitation, and sewage systems.
In a notice on 1 April 2026, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja extended the deadline for payment of land rates to 15 April 2026, citing congestion at customer service centres as Nairobi residents rush to comply ahead of the deadline.
Sakaja said that property owners who clear their arrears within the set timeline will also benefit from a 3% discount.
“Out of 250,000 parcels, we have only 50,000 accounts on the system. Unique parcels that are rate-paying are less than 120,000. However, we all want to be served better and have improved services from the county—it is only fair that we all pay,” Sakaja said.
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