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?