Gov’t waives land rates, rent in new phase of Nairobi Titling Programme

Lands Cabinet Secretary Farida Karoney has announced a waiver of all land rents and rates for landowners applying for title deeds in the new phase of Nairobi Titling Programme.

Addressing the media after a closed door meeting with Nairobi Metropolitan Services boss Mohamed Badi at his office in KICC, CS Karoney said that the move is aimed at encouraging landowners to participate in the new phase of the titling process and help to fast-track the procession and issuance of title deeds.

“During the issuance of title deeds to shareholder of Embakasi Ranching Company last month, the President directed the Ministry of Lands to work with NMS to ensure every bonafide landowners in Nairobi gets their title deed. As a Ministry, we are committed to working in concert with NMS to realise the President’s land reform agenda,” she said.

“We have agreed that the National Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, and the County Government of Nairobi will waive all land rates and rent owed to Site and Service Schemes, Tenant Purchase Schemes, county allotted properties, land-buying companies and other scheme owners as a way of fast-tracking the process,” she said.

The CS further reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure all landowners in Nairobi and the country at large receive their title deeds, adding that the collaborative engagement between the Ministry of Lands and NMS, through the Nairobi Titling Programme, is aimed at achieving this goal.

On his part, DG Badi said the waiving of the rates and rent will ease the burden on land owners and fast-track the processing of the title deeds.

“The Site and Service Scheme and Tenant Service Scheme were developed as a joint venture between the national and county government of Nairobi, the world bank, and USAID between 1975 and 1988 to provide low housing for low income earners in the city.

“In the new exercise the county government will waive all land rates and land rent as we seek to fast-tracking the processing of title deeds for ease the burden on the land owners,” he said.

The verification exercise which will run from September 24 to October 10, 2020, targets Site & Service Schemes and Tenant Purchase Schemes in Mathare North Phases 1 to 4, Ngei Phase 1 and 2, Huruma, Dandora Phases 1 to 5, Umoja Innercore sectors 1 to 3 and 5.

The informal settlement schemes that will be targeted for titling include Kariobangi Jua Kali Sector B, KCC Resettlement Scheme, Dandora Block G, Kayole Soweto, Canaan Dandora, Patanisho Resettlement Scheme, Dandora Ex-Muoroto Scheme, Matopeni Resettlement Scheme, and Embakasi Riverside.

Among the things that landowners are required to bring for the verification exercise include original allotment document, two recent colour passport photos, a copy of National Identification Card (ID), a copy of KRA PIN Certificate, and clearance certificate.