The crackdown on rate defaulters may have now stepped on the toes of one of most influential families. Reports show that 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 Ksh. 15 billion in land rates.
The committee Secretary Nicholas Migot today confirmed that the late vice-president, registered as Ajuma Oginga Odinga; Dr Oginga and Catholic Church Archbishop Zacheus Okoth were part of the published list og 581 defaulters that includes companies and individuals.
The list which was published in a local daily by Kisumu County Secretary Dr Olang’o Onudi indicated that Ajuma Oginga Odinga, the owner of Kisumu Bloc 12/222, owes the county Ksh. 7,774,099 while Dr Oginga’s Kisumu Bloc marked 7/509 is in arrears of Ksh. 295,743.
Among those on the list include the Archbishop who was listed as the owner of Kisumu Bloc 10/86 with arrears of Ksh. 1,771,933 and former Cabinet Minister Peter Oloo Aringo who owes Ksh. 447 million as per the current records.
The Former Chairman of the task force, Mr. George Weda, who also served in the defunct Municipal Council of Kisumu as a councillor however noted that the late Jaramogi and other unnamed individuals were exempted from payment by the defunct authorities because of their contribution to 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.
In a notice given by the Kisumu county government, defaulters were given up to December 21, 2018 to clear their arrears.
“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,” it continues.
Mr Migot said those in the list who will not clear their debts will lose the parcels of land so that investors can have enough space for development.
Do you think the Odinga family should be exempted from paying land rates because of Jaramogi’s contribution to society?