Relief For Land Owners as County Waives All Land Rates Penalties

The County Government of Uasin Gishu has announced a full waiver on penalties and interest for unpaid land rates, provided property owners settle the principal amounts by 30 April.

Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim confirmed the measure in a public notice issued on Monday, 20 April. The waiver applies to all outstanding penalties and interest, on the condition that the original land rate balances are paid in full within the specified period.

County officials said the initiative is intended to improve compliance while easing access to key services, including Single Business Permits. Property owners who clear their arrears during the waiver period are expected to avoid administrative delays and possible interruptions to their business operations.

The governor stated that the decision is supported by existing legal frameworks, including the Public Finance Management Act and the Rating Act. These laws allow county governments to grant such concessions in order to encourage payment while reducing financial pressure on taxpayers.

Similar approaches have been used in other countries. Nairobi has previously introduced waivers to improve compliance, including a December 2025 programme that removed penalties and interest for those who cleared their principal arrears. Counties such as Makueni, Taita Taveta, and Kisumu have also implemented comparable measures.

Financial analysts say such waivers can increase revenue collection by encouraging payment of long-standing debts, while offering temporary relief to property owners. However, they note that counties must balance these incentives with the need for consistent revenue.

With the deadline approaching, property owners in Uasin Gishu are being encouraged to take advantage of the waiver. The county government has presented the initiative as an opportunity to settle outstanding obligations and improve compliance.