Mombasa residents have been granted a temporary reprieve after Governor Abdulswamad Nassir announced a 45-day waiver on all penalties and fines related to land rent payments.

In a move aimed at cushioning residents from the current economic hardship, the county government said the waiver will allow defaulters to clear their outstanding land rent without incurring additional charges.

Governor Nassir said the decision was informed by the need to balance enforcement of the law with the prevailing financial challenges facing residents.

“We want to advise all residents of Mombasa that, in the spirit of the current economic situation and in ensuring compliance with constitutional and legal requirements, there will be a total waiver on all penalties and fines on land rent for the next 45 days,” he said.

He emphasized that the county has no intention of punishing residents through surcharges on late payments, urging them instead to take advantage of the waiver period to regularize their accounts.

The governor noted that many property owners have defaulted on land rent payments, with the number of defaulters running into thousands and the total arrears exceeding Sh1 billion.

While the law allows counties to take enforcement measures including penalties and even auctioning of properties for persistent defaulters Nassir said his administration prefers a more accommodative approach.

“The law is very clear on what should happen when one defaults, including auctioning of properties, but we do not want to go that direction,” he said.

He warned, however, that once the 45-day window lapses, penalties will automatically be reinstated and enforcement measures could follow.

The waiver is part of broader efforts by the Mombasa County Government to enhance revenue collection while maintaining a people-centered approach to governance. Similar waivers in the past have been used to encourage compliance and boost revenue without overburdening residents.

Residents have now been urged to seize the opportunity to clear their dues within the grace period and avoid future penalties.