Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has raised the alarm over billions of shillings in unpaid land rates, warning that the debt is threatening to stall projects across the county. 

Speaking at a media briefing in Mombasa, Abdulswamad said the county government may soon be left with no choice but to begin collecting rent directly from defaulting property owners or, worse, auction their properties to recover the outstanding dues. 

“The county government has the legal right to auction properties with unpaid rates,” he cautioned.  

“That is not a path we want to take. To give people a final chance, the Finance CEC will extend the waiver on interests and penalties until the end of this month,” he said. 

The Governor revealed that several vital projects, including roads and hospitals, have either slowed down or come to a standstill due to the ballooning arrears. 

“We haven’t increased the property rates, yet many have simply chosen not to pay even after we waived penalties and interest. If this continues, we won’t have the resources to build roads, improve hospitals, or undertake other important projects,” he said. 

In a bid to boost self-reliance and reduce dependence on the national government, the county has resolved to ring-fence all collections from land rates specifically for development purposes. 

“We are determined to ensure every shilling collected from property rates goes directly into development,” he explained.

“We’re also formulating two new laws to strengthen our ability to manage and implement these projects.” 

However, the grace period is quickly running out. The governor announced that from June 1, 2025, all defaulting properties will be handed over to debt collectors, with no room for further waivers. 

“When that time comes, it will be tough,” he warned. “It won’t matter who you know, not the CEC, not even the governor. The culture of defaulting has held us back for too long. If forced, we will attach the properties and their rental income. That’s not the legacy I want, but by the end of this month, our hands will be legally tied.”