The residents of Kiambu are facing a critical deadline as the legal expiry date of 60 days for the petition to repeal the contentious Kiambu County Valuation and Rating Act of 2016 looms on 13th April, 2024. In a unified effort under the Bunge Mashinani Initiative, the citizens are calling for swift action from the Kiambu County Assembly to address their demands and uphold their rights.
The Act, which grants extensive powers to the County Government of Kiambu over landowners, has sparked outrage among residents who feel their liberties are being curtailed. The Act classifies all freehold land in Kiambu as rateable, allowing the County Government to enter private land for valuation and charge land rates annually. Failure to pay these rates incurs a penalty of 3% per month, and the County Government is authorized to charge a property owner’s title deed for unpaid rates or even sell the land through auction.
Furthermore, tenants of properties with outstanding land rates are required to pay their rent directly to the County Government, placing an additional burden on residents. The Act also holds caretakers personally liable for land rates if the landowner is out of the country.
In response to the petition, the citizenry was invited to give oral submissions before the Planning and Urbanization Committee of the Kiambu County Assembly on 18th March. The citizens reiterated their demands for the repeal of the Act and the allocation of 1% of the county’s total budget to civic education. They have emphasized the inequitable and oppressive nature of the Act, underscoring the necessity for its immediate annulment.
Despite Governor Wamatangi’s announcement of waivers on interest and penalties, the residents remain unwavering in their call for the complete scrapping of the Act. As the deadline for their petition rapidly approaches, the citizens are prepared to escalate their advocacy efforts to ensure their voices are not only heard but heeded.
The residents stress the significance of civic enlightenment and communal solidarity in their pursuit of justice and fairness. They implore the Kiambu County Assembly to expedite actions to address their concerns and prioritize the welfare and liberties of the residents.