NAIROBI, Kenya, April 16 – The Nairobi Central Business District Association (NCBDA) has expressed support for a move by the City Council of Nairobi to auction property of land rate payment defaulters.
Chairman Timothy Muriuki said on Saturday that the money collected is essential for service provision within the City.
Speaking to Capital News he emphasised the need for the council to expedite the process so as to minimise any losses.
“It is evident that the defaulters owe City Hall a very huge amount of money and now City Hall wants to auction those properties to support the council,” he said. “Due process must be followed on those people who owe rates and if their property must be auctioned, then let it be auctioned so as to recover those rates.”
He called on businesses within the City to always pay their rates in time in a bid to enable city hall perform its task efficiently.
“Businesses must know how to pay their taxes because it is on those taxes that City Hall provides services,” he said.
“We cannot light the streets in the City at night if people are not paying their taxes on time and so we support City Hall in their cause and let them follow up these people. Those who think they have not been listed fairly should go there and present their case.”
The Council this week commenced a process to auction property owned by among others prominent personalities for defaulting rate payments.
Two sitting MPs are among prominent people who owe the City Council of Nairobi millions of shillings in rate arrears.
Among those targeted are two MPs, former ministers, former civil servants, commercial banks and business entities
In a newspaper advert Town Clerk Philip Kisia said the Council has began a process to auction a total of 112 properties for non-payment. “Notice is hereby given that due process that will lead to auction of the listed properties situated within the jurisdiction of the City Council has been commenced on account of rate arrears payable to the council," Mr Kisia said.
The Town Clerk at the same time warned would-be buyers to do a thorough search to ensure such property is not transferred to them.
"All potential buyers interested in owning property are asked to prepare and conduct a personal search of the following property among others which are in breach and owe outstanding arrears, prior to the action," he added.
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