Surveyors oppose government’s plans to hike land rates

The government of Kenya is seeking to implement a proposal to hike land rates and transfer of the National Land Commission (NLC) functions to the Lands Ministry. However, the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) has opposed this proposal terming it as punitive to ordinary citizens while the transfer functions from the Lands Agency would contravene the constitution.

Contrary, the World bank is backing up the land rates and fees increment, saying it will improve revenue collection by the Ministry of Lands which is expected to increase the cost of land by more than 100 times. According to Eric Nyadimo, the ISK president, the proposals will have ripple effects on the country’s economy and would be costly for ordinary citizens.

“We find that these proposals are very unfair to members of the public and we reject them. For instance, we find that Sh2000 for land search as unfair because the Kenyans already pay taxes which are supposed to be used to provide services,” said Eric Nyadimo.

He added that the state must first provide services to Kenyans before subjecting them to more taxation.

“We are saying why should the government charge or increase rates when there are no services for instance having rates for freehold land yet there is no proper sewerage or good roads.. We are saying rates should only be based on services that are being offered,” Adds Mr. Nyadimo.

In his objection, Nyadimo added that, the proposals to transfer some functions from NLC such as land valuation, would negate the gains made on land reforms as the ministry will get more unchecked powers.

“We are yet to decide on what to do next should the proposals go through but we reject these proposals,” he added.

He noted that, although they back the digitising of land records through the Ardhi Sasa to improve service delivery, they called for the creation of a committee involving professionals and state officials to ensure proper implementation of the system.

Nelly Mbugua the vice president of the professional body added that there is a need for more incentives to encourage more investors to set up green buildings to mitigate against climate change.

“The initial costs to acquire and set up the green buildings in terms of capital is very expensive and we need first ways to bring down these initial costs on the investors and homeowners so that we have more green buildings,” explained Ms Mbugua.