This is Part 1 of our Stamp Duty series, breaking down everything you need to know before buying land or property in Kenya.

So you’ve found your dream plot or house. You’re excited, paperwork ready, cash sorted… but wait — someone mentions “stamp duty.”

What’s that?

Stamp duty is a legal tax you must pay to the government when transferring land or property in Kenya. Think of it as the government’s way of saying: “Congrats on the new property! Now make it official.”

Here’s the catch:

👉 Without paying stamp duty, your title deed won’t be registered.

👉 Rates depend on location: 4% for urban property, 2% for rural.

👉 It’s based on the government’s valuation, not the bargain you struck with the seller.

Example:

·       Buying land in Nairobi worth KES 5M = KES 200,000 stamp duty

·       Buying land in Murang’a worth KES 2M = KES 40,000 stamp duty

So before you celebrate that sweet deal, remember stamp duty. It’s the silent extra cost that makes your ownership real.

💡 Quick question: Did you factor stamp duty into your land budget?

👉 In this Part 2, we’ll answer the big question: Who should actually pay stamp duty in Kenya?