Kiambu County Assembly Amends Valuation and Rating Act, Providing Relief to Residents

By Robert Mutasi 

The Kiambu County Assembly made major amendments to the Valuation and Rating Act 2016, marking a historic moment for the county's residents.

The changes discussed and passed in the County Assembly aim to address the long-standing issues of land taxation, especially agricultural land, and provide relief from the accumulation of arrears.

Charles Thiongo, Speaker of the Kiambu County Assembly, emphasized the importance of the amendment in responding to the wishes of the people.

 "We have amended the law passed in 2016, and, as our people asked, our land is free," Thiongo said.

He went on to highlight the specific exemption of agricultural land from land rates, something that has been difficult among Kiambu residents.

The amendment seems to be a big win for the landowners in the county, especially those engaged in agriculture.

The exemption of land rates on agricultural land is expected to reduce the financial burden on farmers, who have long argued that the tax was unfair and harmful to their livelihoods.

"As our citizens have asked, we are waiving land rates in agricultural land," Thiongo added.

In addition to the exemption, the revised law also addresses the issue of debt arrears that have accumulated over many years.

Many landowners in Kiambu had expressed concern about the possibility of the county government following up on these arrears, some of which were made several years ago.

Thiongo assured the residents that the new law had cancelled these arrears.

 "Even the arrears that have been going back, this law has cancelled those arrears so that our people don't have to worry that the county would come after them," he explained.

The Speaker also dismissed any suggestions of conflict within Parliament regarding the amendment, noting that differing opinions are a normal part of the law-making process.

 "This is a legislative body; there is no conflict, you just have different opinions," Thiongo said.

Peter Wainaina, MCA for Karuri Ward, supported the Speaker's views, explaining that the amendment is a historic achievement.

"Today, we have made history by amending the Valuation Appraisal Act that was passed in 2016, which Kiambu residents felt was punitive, taxing land that is free," Wainaina said.

The 2016 Valuation and Rating Act Amendment represents an important step forward for Kiambu County, addressing the concerns of landowners and promoting equity in land taxation.