Embu County Government on Saturday, May 4, announced a one-month waiver on all land interests.
In a notice from Kinyua Kamaria, a member of the County Executive Committee on Finance and Economic Planning, all land owners were urged to make payments between May 6 to June 5, 2024, to enjoy the waiver.
"In exercise of powers conferred by section 6 of the Embu County Tax Waivers Administration Act 2015, notice is given that the committee and the Governor shall waive penalties/interest on outstanding land rates for those who will pay such rates within the period of May 6, 2024, and June 5, 2024," read part of the notice.
According to the official, this waiver was informed by the high inflation rates and also to encourage the taxpayers to meet their tax obligations.
Per the county laws, the County Government may charge interest of 2 per cent per month of the applicable annual fees for every month in which the fees remain unpaid.
The rate in the county is paid on January 1 annually. All those who fail to pay the rates will be penalised.
"If the rate owner of the land is absent from Kenya, any person receiving the rent or being in charge or control of the land is liable for the payment of the rate," reads part of the county laws.
Notably, the collection of land rates is among the county's sources of revenue. Others include parking fees, advertising, and business permits among others.
Embu joins other counties such as Nairobi, Kiambu, Meru and Mombasa which have in the past waived penalties and interest for the local land owners.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja in December 2023 announced a 100 per cent waiver for all land owners for two months. This move aimed at encouraging compliance and increasing the collected revenue.
In April, Mombasa County waived all accumulated and preceding penalties and interests on parking for the period between April 8 and April 30.
Recently, the Ministry of Land directed the implementation of a 4 per cent stamp duty on land transactions countrywide.
"This is, therefore, to direct that going forward, Stamp Duty on Transfer of land within the Gazetted Towns and Municipalities shall be charged at 4 per cent in line with the Stamp Duty Act," Lands Principal Secretary Nixon Korir stated.
