Nairobi County Unveils New Land Rate Structure Effective January 2026
Nairobi landowners will face a revised land rate structure starting January 1, 2026, as announced by the Nairobi County government. The notice, issued under the National Rating Act, 2024, aims to streamline revenue collection and enhance compliance across the city. Land rates, which are Nairobi County’s top own-source revenue earner contributing about 25% of total collections, will now apply to both flat rate zones and properties valued under the 2019 Draft Valuation Roll.
According to Patrick Mbogo, County Executive Committee Member for Built Environment and Urban Planning, properties in flat rate zones will incur charges ranging from Sh2,560 per year for plots up to 0.1 hectares to Sh4,800 per year for plots exceeding 0.4 hectares. For properties assessed through private or public valuation, residential, commercial, and agricultural parcels will be charged 0.115% of their unimproved site value (USV) annually. The county clarified that rates lower than 2022 levels will continue to pay 2022 rates, while rates more than double the 2022 rates will be capped at twice the 2022 rate.
The notice also addressed concerns for property owners who objected to the 2019 Draft Valuation Roll, allowing them to continue paying old rates until disputes are resolved by the Valuation Board. Sectional title holders are now required to open individual land rate accounts, part of the county’s ongoing efforts to improve accuracy and transparency in revenue collection.