Urban Ad Valorem Land Tax: Implementation Experiences in Some Kenyan Towns
Abstract
Value based land taxes in Kenya are levied by various local authorities for local uses.
They are however, mandated by national legislations that give both the local authorities
themselves and the Central government (Minister for local authorities) various definitive
powers over the administration of the tax. However, revenue from this source hardly ever
exceeds 30 per cent per annum of the total revenue for each local authority. For instance,
between \989/90 and 1994/95 the national average land tax income (for all local
authorities) was only \6.9 per cent of the total municipal revenue. This figure rose to
27.2 per cent for the period \995/96 to 1999/2000.
All local authorities in Kenya recognize that the local ad valorem land taxes have a great
potential for increasing their local revenue yield if the taxes are efficiently administered.
This paper argues that improvements to the land tax administration can be realized if
proper land management systems arc put into place to identify, plan. survey and register
urban land in the name of individual owners to ensure that all taxable land are captured
and details appropriately recorded. This broadens the tax base.
Well kept land records indicating allocation and use using correct addresses goes along
way in enabling the preparation of accurate valuation rolls. Properly constructed
valuation rolls increase accuracy in billing and tax collection which must be done by
well-trained and motivated staff. The study has used among others. data from four urban
areas in Kenya comprising two large towns, Nairobi and Mombasa, and two small towns
Olkalau and Mumias each located in a different province to explain the challenges faced
by urban local authorities in trying to implement the ad valorem land tax in Kenya.