Nairobi City County Government has introduced new land rates effective January 1, 2026, increasing costs for property owners. The rates, set under the National Rating Act 2024, apply uniformly across property categories and include flat fees for certain zones. Officials urge owners to review their valuations and open necessary accounts.
On October 24, 2025, the Nairobi City County Government, led by Governor Johnson Sakaja, announced revised land rates that will take effect on January 1, 2026. Patrick Mbogo, the County Executive Committee Member for Built Environment and Urban Planning, issued a notice under Sections 15(3) and 56(1) of the National Rating Act 2024. The notice states: “In exercise of power conferred by Section 15(3) and Section 56(1) of the National Rating Act 2024, notice is hereby given to all ratable owners and the general public that land rates levied by the Nairobi City County Government for the year 2026, shall become due on the 1st day of January, 2026, and shall be levied as follows.”
For flat rate zones, charges are tiered by land size. Parcels not exceeding 0.1 hectares will incur Ksh2,560 annually, the lowest rate. Properties between 0.1 and 0.2 hectares face Ksh3,200, while those over 0.2 but up to 0.4 hectares will pay Ksh4,000. Larger parcels exceeding 0.4 hectares attract the highest flat rate of Ksh4,800 per year.
Private and public valuation properties will base charges on the 2019 Draft Valuation Roll. Rates are uniform across categories: residents' plots, commercial plots, and agricultural plots all at 0.115 percent of the Unimproved Site Value (USV) annually. Mbogo advised owners who objected to the 2019 roll not to pay until their cases are resolved. Those with properties missing from the roll should contact the City Hall Chief Valuer. Additionally, sectional title holders must now open individual rates accounts.
This update aims to standardize revenue collection in Nairobi, though it may strain landlords amid economic pressures. No immediate reactions from property owners were detailed in the announcement.