Baringo County government has issued a two months ultimatum to property and plot owners across its major towns to pay outstanding rates totaling Sh169 million.

County Lands and Physical Planning Chief officer (CO) Nancy Chesire said the Sh 1,000 annual fees dates back to the defunct local government with Kabarnet municipality and Eldama Ravine Township recording the highest number of defaulters.

Chesire stated that out of the total defaulted money, Sh 113 million was inherited by the devolved unit from the former county council while the remaining debt piled up since establishment of county government.

‘We are urging the owners to each pay their outstanding fee to ensure that we clear the debt which has accumulated for over three decades,’ she said.

Ms. Chesire who spoke to KNA at her Kabarnet office on Tuesday said the move to effect the notice which will lapse on March 31 this year, is geared towards ensuring a self-sustainable county.

She noted that from the payments the county administration will be
able to accomplish numerous projects especially within the urban settlements like improving the appearance of towns, markets and street lighting.

Chesire called upon residents to support the exercise and not to politicize since it is not a new requirement to them.

‘We want to improve on our revenue collection bases because we have few sources and cannot be solely depending on allocation from the national treasury,’ the CO said.

At the same time, the county official urged land owners especially in Kabarnet, Eldama Ravine, Mogotio, Marigat and Kabartonjo towns to put into good use their respective assets and avoid instances where it is declared idle in areas where there is need of enough space for development.

Source: Kenya News Agency