The County Government of Machakos will continue collecting land rates under the existing law, despite a motion by the County Assembly seeking to suspend the process.
Lands Executive Committee Member Nathaniel Nganga said the Assembly had already approved the valuation roll — the legal basis for the new rates — and cannot reverse the process through a simple motion.
“The action of the Members of the County Assembly is moot. The valuation roll is a money bill. They need to move a substantive motion if they wish to overturn it,” Mr. Nganga said during a press briefing outside his office on Wednesday.
He noted that the Executive presented the valuation document to the Assembly in March 2025 after public participation, and it was duly approved. The Assembly’s attempt to overturn it on Tuesday, he said, was “after the fact.”
“We are now operating under the national statute, which is the law in place. The County Assembly needs to align with the statute,” he added, noting that any law contrary to national legislation is null and void.
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On Tuesday, the County Assembly passed a motion to suspend the new rates — which took effect following the valuation roll — until a Finance Bill approving them is enacted.
Kinanie MCA Francis Kavyu termed the new rates punitive. However, the Finance Executive clarified that land rates had reduced from 2% to 0.5%, representing a 75% reduction.
Mr. Nganga said national government valuers, working with county staff, developed the valuation roll, which places the value of land in Machakos County at approximately Ksh 22 billion.
Meanwhile, the CECM announced that the County Government had extended the waiver on payment of land rates for another month and urged residents who missed the earlier extension to take advantage.
By Stephen Muthini
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