By Joshua Cheloti

Land and property owners in Nairobi have a reason to smile after the county government extended the waiver period for payment of land rates.

According to a public notice shared by Governor Johnson Sakaja on Tuesday, the waiver period which had expired on March 30, 2023, has now been extended to April 15, 2023.

During this period, land and property owners will only pay their due land rates without any penalties.

The county is now asking the locals to take advantage of the extension and pay the land rates.

“Pursuant to Nairobi City County Tax Waivers Administration Act, 2013, and following an appeal from property owners, the County Executive Member for Finance, with the concurrence of H.E the Governor hereby grants an extension of 2023 land rates,” read part of the notice.

“The extension takes effect as follows; Property owners have up to 15^th April 2023 to pay their land rates. During the period of extension, no penalties shall be levied on the current year land rates,” adds the notice.

Meanwhile, Governor Sakaja has announced an improved revenue collection for the city-county within the last three months.

The county boss says between January and March 2023, the county collected Ksh4.5 billion in revenue, up from the Ksh3.8 billion that was collected during the same period last year.

But despite the improvement, Sakaja says there is room for more to be collected.

He also hailed his revenue collection team for a job well done, even as he asked Nairobians to pay the rates within the extended period to allow the county to offer better services.

“Congrats Team. Collected 4.5B Jan to March compared to 3.8b Jan to March 2022. Improvement of 673million. Well done guys, Sasa tuongeze gear for last Quarter. All who didn’t make March 30th rates deadline, kindly note the 15 day extension without penalties,” Sakaja tweeted.