A section of landowners in Uasin Gishu has threatened to take the Uasin Gishu County Government to court for increasing land rates without allegedly consulting them.
The landowners argued that they are unable to pay the rates because they are very high, claiming that there has been an increase of up to 600 percent.
“As landowners, we are not happy with the county government's move, how can someone pay Sh9 million as land rate surely. We will go to court to stop its implementation," said Kipkorir Menjo.
Addressing journalists in Eldoret town on Thursday, the landowners argued that the county government did not conduct any public participation to get their views before effecting the new rates.
“According to the law, we are supposed to be taken for public participation for us to either agree or disagree on the same. How can you tell a person that he is supposed to pay Sh90 million? Do you want them to die?,” asked Moira Chepkok.
Huruma Ward MCA Peter Chomba argued that the increment was done without mapping to know the exact size of the farm since some people have subdivided their farms and sold some sections to other owners.
“Let the county government do mapping first without that we will not allow any increment whatsoever,” said the MCA.
The landowners now want the county government to suspend the new land rates and consult them before increasing the rates.
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