Mombasa waives land rates penalties to ease burden on residents

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has announced a 100 per cent waiver on penalties and interest on land rates for 45 days to cushion residents against tough economic times and help the county recover over Sh1 billion in arrears.

Speaking to the press at the Governor’s Office in Mombasa, Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said the waiver, which commenced on April 1, 2026, and will run for the next 45 days, follows consultations between the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands and the CECM for Finance.

“It is within the power of the CECM for lands, upon consultation with myself and the CECM for Finance. We have made a decision that for the next 45 days commencing yesterday, there will be a total 100 per cent waiver on all interests and penalties so that people can be able to meet their obligations,” he said.

Governor Nassir emphasized that the county has no intention of surcharging residents for late payments but noted that the law limits how long the county can operate without collecting revenue.

“For the county government to provide services, then people must pay the rates,” he said, urging residents to take advantage of the window before it closes.

Nassir warned of the consequences awaiting those who fail to settle their arrears once the waiver period lapses, including the county collecting rent directly from tenants, auctioning properties, and locking premises until outstanding debts are cleared. He stressed, however, that enforcement remained a last resort.

“We are seeing what happens in other areas when you don’t pay your land rates. We don’t want to reach there,” he said.

An aerial view of residential and commercial buildings in Mombasa County.

The governor also disclosed plans to digitise all buildings and land parcels in the county, describing the number of defaulters as running into the thousands. He called on residents to settle their obligations promptly rather than risk accumulating additional costs.

Nassir revealed that the Sh1 billion in unpaid land rates was already straining the county’s capacity to deliver essential services, including the payment of medical staff, the free Early Childhood Development (ECD) learning programme, and the school feeding initiative.