The bill in question, known as the Land Laws (Amendment) (Number 2) Bill of 2023, aimed to introduce a new levy on owners of freehold land and property in urban areas.
In a letter addressed to Speaker Moses Wetangula dated June 13, Ichung'wah expressed concerns about various legal and constitutional issues surrounding the bill.
He emphasized the necessity for consultations with the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, as well as the National Land Commission. These consultations, he stated, were crucial before any further consideration of the bill could proceed.
The bill, originally sponsored by Simon King’ara, a Member of Parliament from Ruiru, proposed amendments to the Land Act of 2012.
Its primary provision sought to impose an annual land levy on freehold landowners within urban areas. This levy would have been equivalent to the land rent charged on leasehold properties of similar size and in the same zone.
Critics of the bill, including experts like Dr. Mwenda Makathimo from the Land Development and Governance Institute, argued that such a levy could effectively convert freehold property into leasehold property.
They warned that this could lead to land dispossession, particularly affecting indigenous people and those who inherited or purchased land.
Despite Ichung'wah's previous denial of the bill's existence, it had advanced through all legislative steps in the National Assembly and had reached the Senate.
However, following extensive deliberations and consultations with stakeholders, Ichung'wah formally withdrew the bill.
He requested the House Business Committee to be notified of its withdrawal and urged against any further consideration
The decision to withdraw the bill marks a significant development in Kenya's legislative landscape concerning land ownership and taxation. .
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