The public participation on the valuation Roll and rating bill 2023 has kicked off in Siaya with the public expected to give their views. The public views will not only enrich the document but propose fair rates compared to the current ones. The exercise that has been launched in Siaya is being coordinated by the Department of Lands with the forums expected to take place in each of the six sub-counties. According to the Lands County executive Maurice Otieno Mc Orege, they expect a big turn out in the forums.“The idea of engaging the public is to allow them comment on the valuation Roll so that we incoporate their thinking,” said McOrege. The roll is important for it gives records of property in the county to enable executive make decisions on the rates that would be payable. "Once we collect the public views, it will form part of the document," he said.
He added once the views are incorporated into one document, they will be reviewed by the cabinet and if approved it shall be forwarded to the assembly.
The aim of the valuation Roll is to enable the county government boost its revenue so as to facilitate development programes. The county land valuer Daniel Madegwa said the valuation Roll documents all parcels of lands that are ratable. Ratable property means that owners are supposed to pay land tax. In the valuation Roll, details required are the name and address of the land owner, the size, location and value of the land. Once the assembly has approved the document will enable county government to levy Land rates appropriately.