President William Ruto has announced plans to exempt land transactions valued at Ksh1 million or less from stamp duty in a move aimed at reducing the cost of acquiring and transferring land.
Speaking during the 63rd Mashujaa Day celebrations in Uasin Gishu County on Tuesday, October 20, Ruto said the National Treasury had developed proposals to ease the financial burden on Kenyans seeking to own land.
“The National Treasury has developed proposals to exempt land transactions valued at Ksh1 million or less from stamp duty and introduce progressive rates for higher-value transactions,” the Head of State announced.
Ruto said the proposed changes were intended to make land ownership more affordable, particularly for low-income Kenyans who face high costs when acquiring and transferring property.
President William Ruto arrives for the Mashujaa Day Celebrations at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret City on October 20, 2026.
PCS
At the same time, President Ruto directed the Treasury to table the proposal before Parliament within the next week for consideration by lawmakers.
“I have directed the National Treasury to place all these proposals before Parliament next week,” he said, signalling that the measures would require legislative consideration before they can take effect.
An analysis by Kenyans.co.ke shows that the proposed exemption could save buyers of land valued at Ksh1 million or less up to Ksh40,000 in stamp duty for properties within municipalities, where the current rate stands at 4 per cent of the property's value.
For land outside municipalities, the stamp duty rate is 2 per cent, meaning a buyer purchasing property worth Ksh1 million would currently pay Ksh20,000 in the tax.
However, the proposed exemption would not automatically cover other property transaction costs or annual county land rates, which are separate charges and vary depending on the property's location and classification.