Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o has unveiled a four-pillar strategy to robustly transform the city into the most livable, sustainable, and economically vibrant lake metropolis in the East African Community.
This, however, comes at a time when the lakeside city is reeling from unpaid land and property rates to the tune of Sh 80 billion.
Currently, registered at 40 percent, the underutilization of land by the city owners poses a stark threat to the development of prime locations and the real estate sectors.
Speaking during a day-long roundtable forum which brought together city landowners, Nyong’o reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to urban and housing development.
“In the spirit of collaboration, I’m pleased to announce a 6-month Amnesty Window of
50 percent waiver on the penalties if the principal amount is paid,” Nyong’o declared to the policymakers, investors, and community leaders on Wednesday, May 14th.
The waivers, Nyong’o explained, will be made through flexible and negotiated monthly payment plans based on Demand Notices.
The city residents urged the county government to continuously hold land engagements; “As Kisumu is dotted with a lot of land injustices- communal, public and private.”
They further called for the expeditious processing of land cases to address the ever-rising number of backlogs.
Missed Tax Target
On his part,County Executive Member (CECM ) for Finance, Planning and ICT, George Okong’o, revealed that they only managed to collect 18 percent of the Total Land Rates in 2024.
“We anticipated collecting Sh 700 million, but we have only managed Sh 150 million (22 percent) with multiple problems in 2025,” Okong’o clarified.
He added that this will hugely affects the county’s meeting its Own Source Revenue (OSR) target.
The county’s finance and lands departments are mulling over the introduction of a policy whereby they will decline Approval of the Development of a Site by clamping down on it.
In response to the participant’s queries, Nyong’o remarked that Land and Mobilisation and Productive Use will be implemented for a period of 18 months.
“We shall also introduce the Land Banking Program to facilitate smart and sustainable development,” he said.
Ultimatum for Idle Land
Nyong’o further stressed that they will enforce “Use-It-Or-Lose-It” Policy.
This is a 12-month ultimatum for idle land; with compulsory and compensation able acquisition after 24 months.
Another program geared towards tapping the city’s full potential is Public-Private Partnership Incentives.
It entails fast and efficient-tracking of approvals for mixed-use developments, and 15 percent tax rebates for projects aligned with the spatial plan.
Nyong’o stated that: “There will be no zero tolerance for non-compliance. All legal avenues will be used to enforce the Kisumu City Spatial Plan and the provisions of the National Rating Act, 2024.”
In addition, the County boss announced the commencement of the “Know-Your-Rates Campaigns” by the use of media and door-to-door outreach aimed at educating and engaging the residents.
CECM Okungu further stressed that land rates are charged based on the value of the land and not the property built.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) reiterated that there’s needs to come up with Rapid Results Initiatives.
“To this end, our periodic Legal Services Week sessions continue to sensitise Kenyans on tangible tips on land-related issues,” said an official who represented LSK President Faith Odhiambo.
