Residents of Kahawa Sukari Estate in Kiambu County have obtained temporary relief after the High Court barred the Kiambu County Government from enforcing increased land rates pending the hearing of a petition challenging the hike.
In interim orders, Justice Mogeni directed that a conservatory order be issued suspending the implementation of the contested land rates as the court considers an application filed by the residents.
The case was filed by four petitioners — Dickson Miano Maina, Joseph Kurauka, Murithi Kananua and Nicholas Komu — on behalf of 578 plot owners in Kahawa Sukari Estate.
According to court documents, the residents moved to court to challenge what they described as a drastic increase in land rates imposed by the county government.
They say that for years property owners in the estate paid annual land rates of Sh1,500. However, in 2024 the county government increased the amount to Sh15,750 per year.
The residents argue that the increment represents an increase of about 1,000 percent and is excessive.
“The increase represents approximately 1000 percent and therefore a disproportionate increase that is detrimental to the right to hold property,” the petitioners state in their court papers.
They further claim that the county government failed to conduct adequate public participation before implementing the new rates, contrary to the legal requirements governing valuation and rating.
The petitioners also question the valuation used to determine the rates, saying it assumed a uniform land value of Sh6.3 million per quarter acre based on a 2014 valuation roll.
According to them, the valuation does not reflect variations in land values within the estate.
In an affidavit filed before the court, Dickson Miano Maina stated that many residents of the estate are retirees who are already facing financial constraints and may not be able to afford the increased charges.
He also told the court that several essential services in the estate, including security and waste management, are largely funded and managed by residents themselves.
The petitioners further argue that sewer connectivity in the area remains limited, forcing many households to rely on septic tanks despite the high land rates.
They also raised concerns about penalties and interest accruing on unpaid rates at a rate of 30 percent.
According to the residents, they had earlier written to Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi on August 22, 2025 requesting the county government to reconsider the rate increment, but their concerns were not addressed.
While issuing the interim orders, Justice Mogeni declined to certify the application as urgent but directed that conservatory orders remain in force pending the hearing and determination of the application.
The court also ordered the petitioners to serve all respondents in the case, including the County Government of Kiambu, the governor, the County Executive Committee Member for Finance and the Kiambu County Assembly.
The matter will be mentioned on June 18, 2026 for further directions.
