The Bunge Mashinani Initiative (BMI), a civil society organization advocating for citizen empowerment at the county level, has called for the dissolution of the Kiambu County government.
In a statement addressed to President William Ruto, the BMI cites alleged violations of the Kenyan Constitution by the County Assembly and the Executive Office under Governor Kimani Wamatangi.
Their concerns stem from the recent activation of the Kiambu County Valuation and Rating Act, 2016, through the Finance Act, 2023. This Act has generated controversy for two key reasons:
Unrealistic and Ruthless Taxation: The Act designates all private land as taxable, potentially leading to excessive property taxes that infringe on landowners’ rights and undermine their well-being. This contradicts Article 129(2) of the Constitution, which mandates the government to act “for the well-being and benefit” of the people.
Concerns Regarding Transparency and Accountability: The Act reportedly grants authorities extensive powers to recover unpaid land rates and penalties, raising concerns about potential abuse and lack of transparency in such processes. This could be seen as conflicting with Article 1 of the Constitution, which emphasizes the people’s right to have their voices heard through elected representatives.
The BMI further emphasizes that they formally submitted a petition to the County Assembly of Kiambu demanding the repeal of the entire “Kiambu County Land Valuation and Rating Act 2016.” The petition, documented and presented as per Article 1, aiming to exercise citizens’ sovereign power through their elected representatives, reportedly received no response from the County Assembly.
The Bunge Mashinani Initiative’s call for the Kiambu County government’s dissolution and the documented petition raise serious questions about the Act’s potential impact on residents and their rights. The situation merits further investigation and dialogue between all stakeholders, including the Kiambu County government, to ensure a fair and transparent resolution
