The Mombasa County Government has waived 100 per cent penalties and interest on land rates for 45 days in a bid to ease the burden on property owners and recover over Sh1 billion in outstanding arrears.
Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said the waiver, which took effect on April 1, 2026, followed consultations with the County Executive Committee Members for Lands and Finance.
He warned that the huge arrears are already straining the county’s ability to deliver essential services, including paying medical staff, sustaining the free Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme, and running the school feeding initiative.
“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 said the move is not meant to punish residents, but stressed that revenue collection remains critical for service delivery.
“For the county government to provide services, then people must pay the rates,” he said.
He urged property owners to take advantage of the waiver before it lapses, warning that strict enforcement measures will follow for defaulters.
According to the governor, the county could resort to collecting rent directly from tenants, auctioning properties, or locking premises until arrears are cleared, although he emphasized that such steps would be 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.
Nassir also revealed plans to digitise all buildings and land parcels in Mombasa to boost compliance and improve revenue collection, noting that thousands of property owners are yet to clear their dues.
