Kisumu County has unveiled a far-reaching land-use reform strategy aimed at recovering more than Sh80 billion in unpaid land rates and unlocking vast tracts of idle property for development. Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, speaking during a high-level Land-Use Optimisation Roundtable, said the county can no longer afford the economic setbacks caused by abandoned or underdeveloped land, noting that nearly half of Kisumu’s plots remain dormant despite sitting in prime growth corridors.
Nyong’o said the county’s ambition to become a leading lakeside metropolis hinges on strict enforcement of planning laws and smarter use of available land. He blamed lax compliance, zoning violations and chronic non-payment of rates for slowing down Kisumu’s transformation. To address these gaps, the county will now enforce the Kisumu City Spatial Plan in tandem with the National Rating Act, 2024, forming the backbone of a new 18-month implementation strategy. The plan features four pillars, including land mobilisation, productive use of idle parcels and a structured land-banking programme designed to support long-term urban expansion.
A key highlight of the reforms is a use-it-or-lose-it policy targeting owners of prime undeveloped land. Under the new rules, landowners will have 12 months to commence development or risk compulsory acquisition after 24 months, subject to compensation. To encourage investment rather than punishment, the county is offering a suite of incentives, including fast-tracked approvals for mixed-use projects and a 15 per cent tax rebate for developments aligned with Kisumu’s spatial blueprint. A six-month amnesty programme will also give property owners a chance to settle their dues, with a 50 per cent waiver on penalties and flexible repayment plans.
Alongside enforcement, Kisumu will launch a public awareness drive titled Know Your Rates, combining media outreach and on-ground sensitisation to boost compliance. Nyong’o urged county leaders, private investors and residents to rally behind the initiative, saying the new measures mark a turning point for the county’s economic future. This is our moment to reshape Kisumu into an orderly, inclusive and progressive city, he said, calling for collective responsibility to secure sustainable growth.