Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has extended his amnesty on people who have not paid land rates. The amnesty has been extended by two weeks. Prof Nyong’o said the extension was a “Christmas gift” to investors who missed the first deadline.
In a notice published in The Standard yesterday, Nyong’o said he had extended the amnesty till January 4, granting defaulters 100 per cent waiver on all penalties.
“Kindly note that after January 4, 2019, all rate defaulters who fail to take advantage of the Christmas waiver window as provided herein shall be subject to terms and conditions as provided in the notice of The Standard newspaper of November 23, 2018,” read the notice.
Land owners, some who have not remitted their rates for the last 10 years, owe the county government Sh 15 billion. Nyong’o had earlier hinted that those who had not paid the rates would have investment on their parcels confiscated to recover the debt.
The list that was released of all the noted defaulters brought a lot of heat, with many denying not remitting the levies. Kisumu International Airport, which is managed by the Kenya Airports Authority, owes the county Sh 1.4 billion.
Kenya Industrial Estates, whose regional headquarters sit near the airport, owe Sh 230 million. National Cereals and Produce Board, with its silos premised next to the KIE offices, owe Sh 39 million.United Millers, a top investor in the lake city, owes Sh 173 million.
[Article source: The Standard, by Dalton Nyabundi]
