The County Government of Nairobi has invited members of the public to submit views on the new draft valuation roll for the county.

The new draft valuation roll proposes new rates to be based on between 0.1 and 0.115 percent of the current Unimproved Site Value of land, setting stage for increment on rate payable.

In a joint public notice, acting Nairobi County Secretary Jairus Musumba and Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Benson Mutura said the public participation forums will be held on June 16th between 9am and 1pm across the 17 sub-Counties in Nairobi. Currently, property owners pay land rates at 25 percent of the unimproved site value based on the 1980 valuation roll, which City Hall reckons has seen it lose on the appreciation of plots.

Nairobi County Lands and Urban Planning Executive Charles Kerich, in February, said property owners will start paying higher rates compared to the current ones once the new valuation roll comes into effect. He said that the final percentage to be charged on ratable properties will be determined through public participation.

The draft valuation roll, tabled before the Nairobi County Assembly, has been awaiting public participation to pave way for its roll out. The County Government raised Sh1.97 billion from land rates last year against a target of Sh4.84 billion, with the under-performance attributed to use of outdated rates record.