City Hall has launched a major crackdown on land rates defaulters, targeting properties linked to prominent figures including relatives of retired president Uhuru Kenyatta, former Kisii senator Samson Ongeri, and the Royal Nairobi Golf Club, with debts running into hundreds of millions of shillings.

CR12 registration documents show that Muigai Holdings Limited—linked to Kenyatta’s stepbrother Peter Muigai Kenyatta (deceased), John Kamau Muigai and Richard Kamau Muigai—owes the Nairobi County Government Sh118 million in unpaid rates.

Former senator Ongeri is also listed, with his property under parcel number 209/9499 said to owe Sh51 million, while Lennah Catherine Koinange, daughter of former cabinet minister Mbiyu Koinange, is reported to owe Sh14 million.

The Royal Nairobi Golf Club is accused of owing Sh827 million, but the club has rejected the claim, blaming it on a billing mix-up.

“We have been paying our land rates and have the records to prove it. It is not true that we owe such a huge amount. The confusion arose from land rate bills issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority during the Nairobi Metropolitan Services era. But those issues were resolved,” said the club’s general manager, Jacob Omondi.

Other major defaulters named include Kenya Airports Authority, Elysium Limited, Kenya Railways Sports Club, Riara Primary School, Uhuru Highway Limited, Market Plaza Limited, and General Motors.

Also on the list are Kensalt Limited, Kenya Planters Cooperative Union, Teleposta Pension Scheme Registered Trustees, Kenya National Trading Corporation, Sports View Scrap Metal, Eldama Ravine, DH3 Kenya Limited and Riverside Ten Limited.

The county government last Friday announced that land rates defaulters will be denied key services like water supply, garbage collection, parking, and licensing support.

Revenue officer Tiras Njoroge said the county is acting within the new National Rating Act No. 15 of 2024 to recover the money.

“We are doing our part. We are now taking action. For better services, everyone must pay what is due. We cannot have a city where the law applies selectively. We all want clean water, good roads and functioning hospitals and that requires revenue,” he said.

“Some of these properties are well-known commercial buildings in the city centre yet they owe us millions. We will disconnect water and stop collecting garbage until they meet their obligations,” he added.

Over the weekend, City Hall sent final SMS notices to more than 5,000 property owners, warning that they risk losing their properties through auction if they fail to pay. The county has also gone to the Environment and Land Court to seek permission to use alternative methods to recover the debts.

However, the enforcement has faced criticism from rights groups and politicians who accuse the county of using force and intimidation.

Earlier this year, a dispute with Kenya Power saw the utility disconnect electricity to City Hall over unpaid bills, prompting the county to stop sewerage and garbage services in retaliation.

In a separate incident weeks ago, the county evicted residents from old estates in a push to recover rent arrears. The tenants claimed the county hired goons to force them out, but City Hall denied the accusation.

Makadara MP George Aladwa has called for a more humane approach.

“I urge the governor to ensure the rights of people being evicted are respected. Many of them have lived in those homes for years. Don't evict them, instead agree on a payment plan,” he said, adding that the high cost of living has affected everyone.

According to City Hall, Nairobi has about 256,000 registered landowners, but only 50,000—roughly 20 percent—have been consistently paying land rates.