Odinga family among top land rate defaulters in Kisumu

A file photo of Oburu Oginga in his sorghum farm. Kisumu County says he owes Sh295,743 in rates for land marked as Kisumu Bloc 7/509. PHOTO | NELCON ODHIAMBO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The Kisumu Land Task Force Committee says that the county government, led by Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, is owed more than Sh15 billion in land rates.
  • The defaulters are required to clear their arrears by December 21.
  • The late vice-president, registered as Ajuma Oginga Odinga, Sh7,774,099, while Dr Oginga Sh295,743.
  • Also in the list is former Cabinet Minister Peter Oloo Aringo, who owes Sh447 million as per the current records.

Kenya’s first Vice-President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and his son Dr Oburu Oginga are among top land rate defaulters in Kisumu County.

The Kisumu Land Task Force Committee says that the county government, led by Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, is owed more than Sh15 billion in land rates.

581 DEFAULTERS

On Saturday, committee Secretary Nicholas Migot confirmed that the late vice-president, registered as Ajuma Oginga Odinga; Dr Oginga and Catholic Church Archbishop Zacheus Okoth were in the list.

The names were in a published list of 581 defaulters, that is of companies and individuals.

The list was published in a local daily by Kisumu County Secretary Dr Olang’o Onudi. It says that Ajuma Oginga Odinga, the owner of Kisumu Bloc 12/222, owes the county Sh7,774,099 and Dr Oginga Sh295,743. Dr Oginga’s land is marked as Kisumu Bloc 7/509.

The archbishop is listed as the owner of Kisumu Bloc 10/86, with arrears of Sh1,771,933.

Also in the list is former Cabinet Minister Peter Oloo Aringo, who owes Sh447 million as per the current records.

EXEMPTION

Mr George Weda, the former chairman of the task force who also served in the defunct Municipal Council of Kisumu as a councillor, noted, however, that the late Jaramogi and other unnamed individuals were exempted from payment by the defunct authorities.

He said that this was “due to what they had done in the society".

“During my time as a councillor, that was the resolution that was made. It touched on Jaramogi because of his status and contributions to the society,” Mr Weda noted.

CLEARANCE

The defaulters are required to clear their arrears by December 21.

“The county government of Kisumu hereby gives notice to the general public and land rate defaulters, that for efficient land rate management and verification of ownership records as captured, the defaulters are directed to pay all their dues by December 21,” the notice states.

“The defaulters must first seek clearance from the task force clearance centre at Kisumu works yard, where their invoices shall be ascertained, and thereon proceed to make payment as shall be directed.”

Mr Migot said those in the list will lose the parcels of land if they do not clear their debts "so that investors can have enough space for development".