Nairobi County sets 60-day deadline for idle plot owners or face repossession
While small-scale developers have welcomed the move as a chance to launch starter-home projects, some plot owners say high construction costs and delays in permit approvals remain barriers to compliance.
A collage of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja right and land on sale sign left. Photo/The Kenya Times.
By Mercy Chelangat
The Nairobi City County Government on July 21 gave owners of undeveloped or unpaid-for plots across the city a 60-day deadline—until Sept. 19—to clear outstanding fees, submit approved building plans and begin construction. Any parcels left idle beyond the deadline will be repossessed and reallocated to new applicants, officials warned.
The directive applies to land allocated under site and service schemes, regularized informal settlements and urban infill programs, which beneficiaries were originally required to develop within 24 months of allocation.
Valuation updates and enforcement to begin
In the same notice, lease or certificate holders whose properties are not recorded in the Nairobi valuation roll must visit one of five sub-county valuation offices—in Embakasi East, Embakasi Central, Embakasi West, Kasarani or Embakasi North—to update their records before enforcement begins.
The directive follows a December 2024 warning to 109 plot holders who, despite a six-month compliance window, left their parcels underdeveloped or with unpaid rates. Technical upgrades to the valuation roll delayed enforcement, but City Hall now says the system is fully operational and repossessions will proceed where owners fail to demonstrate intent to develop.
Land parcel numbers to replace plot numbers in 2026
To improve billing accuracy and revenue collection, Nairobi will replace plot numbers with land parcel numbers for all rate payments starting Jan. 1, 2026. In the coming weeks, county technical teams will visit developed properties to affix parcel plates on gates or doors. Owners are urged to grant access to avoid any interruption in their land-rate accounts.
Housing pressure driving policy
City planners note that Nairobi’s housing deficit exceeds 150,000 units, with more than 60% of the city’s 5 million residents living in informal settlements. Officials argue that unlocking dormant parcels will spur construction, increase revenue for roads and utilities, and ease pressure on overstretched infrastructure.
While small-scale developers have welcomed the move as a chance to launch starter-home projects, some plot owners say high construction costs and delays in permit approvals remain barriers to compliance. In response, the county has pledged to extend planning office hours and fast-track building-plan reviews in the coming weeks.
Leaders say repossession is last resort
County leaders emphasize that repossession remains a last resort.
“We prefer to see homes rise on these plots rather than reclaiming them,” said James Mwangi, the lands and urban planning executive committee member. “But if owners do not act, we will reallocate the land to those ready to build.”
With less than two months to go, Nairobi’s land-use reforms will test the city’s ability to translate policy into housing delivery.
About Author
