City Hall takes over Kencom parking over Sh41 million debt
The facility, widely used by city motorists, reportedly owes the county Sh41.1 million in land rates.
Nairobi City County has taken control of a popular private parking lot along Taifa Road, behind the Kencom building, as part of an ongoing campaign to recover unpaid land rates.
The facility, widely used by city motorists, reportedly owes the county Sh41.1 million in land rates and an additional Sh200,000 for an expired Unified Business Permit.
The takeover, which happened on Monday, is part of a broader crackdown by City Hall targeting property owners who have defaulted on their financial obligations to the county.
County Receiver of Revenue Tiras Njoroge confirmed that Nairobi officials had seized the premises and would now collect parking fees directly from motorists.
"This Kencom private parking lot owes the county Sh41 million. Starting today, we are taking over its operations to recover the money until the debt is fully paid," she stated.
Njoroge emphasized the importance of compliance in funding public services.
"We are committed to ensuring that every property owner pays their duties. Revenue from land rates and business permits is essential for delivering services to Nairobi residents," he said.
The operation follows a similar move on May 14, when the county clamped down on the Grand Lodge of East Africa’s Freemasons’ Hall over land rates arrears amounting to Sh19 million.
Officials from the revenue department, including Chief Officer of the Governor Priscilla Mahinda and Chief Officer for Housing Lydia Mathia, insisted the closure followed proper procedure.
Health CEC Suzanne Silantoi noted that enforcement would not be limited to clamping buildings. She revealed that the county plans to cut off services such as water and sewer lines for defaulters who fail to respond to payment demands.
Other properties targeted in the latest enforcement drive include a petrol station along Haile Selassie Avenue and a building on Koinange Street. Combined, the two owe the county over Sh10 million.
Nairobi County has urged business and property owners to pay their land rates and renew their Unified Business Permits to avoid similar enforcement action.
