Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has offered a temporary reprieve to landlords by announcing a new land rate waiver from December 15 to December 31. This initiative aims to address a compliance crisis, with the county wiping out 100 per cent of accumulated interest and penalties for those who clear outstanding arrears within this period.

• The waiver is a "last-ditch effort" to ease taxpayer strain and boost Nairobi County's own-source revenue, according to Receiver of Revenue Tiras Njoroge.
• Njoroge warned that from January 1, 2025, any unpaid amounts will be treated as default, with landowners facing consequences as defaulters.
• Earlier, Sakaja revealed that only a quarter of 250,000 registered land parcels in Nairobi comply with land rate payments, impacting essential county services.
• New rates take effect from January 1, 2026, under the National Rating Act, 2024, with properties not exceeding 0.1 hectares charged Ksh2,560 annually, and larger parcels up to 0.4 hectares charged Ksh4,000.

The Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development has initiated a comprehensive boundary review for proposed municipalities and urban areas across Embu, Turkana, and Wajir counties. This crucial step, effective July 1, 2025, aims to formalize urban status and support planned development.

• Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome appointed ad hoc committees under Section 4A(2) of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, as announced in the Kenya Gazette on December 11.
• Each committee is chaired by a representative from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and includes officials from multiple ministries and county departments.
• The committees are tasked with reviewing and proposing boundaries based on legal, planning, and environmental considerations, crucial for establishing and upgrading urban centers.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has cautioned that the extensive refurbishment at Nairobi Central Station by the Kenya Railways Corporation could damage nearby buildings and cause environmental issues. These works are part of the larger Nairobi Railway City project, which aims to transform the area into a major transport hub.

• The Kenya Railways Corporation plans to construct multi-level buildings, platforms, and associated amenities on a 438-acre site.
• Contractors are advised to conduct regular noise surveys, maintain equipment to prevent structural damage, and minimize vegetation removal to combat biodiversity loss.
• Furthermore, measures to reduce air pollution, conserve energy, and manage traffic with marshals at construction sites have been recommended by NEMA.