Nairobi stamp duty calculator: worked examples for 2026
Stamp duty in Nairobi is 4 percent of the higher of purchase price or government valuation, payable by the buyer. Here are the honest 2026 worked examples across price points, including KMRC-eligible affordable housing exemptions.
Stamp duty in Nairobi is 4 percent of the higher of purchase price or government valuation, payable by the buyer. Buyers regularly underestimate the line item. Here are the honest 2026 worked examples across price points.
2026 stamp duty rates
- Urban property (Nairobi metro): 4 percent of the higher of purchase price or government valuation
- Rural and agricultural property: 2 percent (outside Nairobi metro)
- Affordable housing under AHP: exempt up to defined cap
- First-time buyer through Affordable Mortgage Programme: stamp duty relief where qualifying
Worked examples
Example 1: Kasarani 2-bed apartment
- Purchase price: KES 5,500,000
- Stamp duty: 4 percent x KES 5,500,000 = KES 220,000
Example 2: Kilimani 2-bed apartment
- Purchase price: KES 13,500,000
- Stamp duty: 4 percent x KES 13,500,000 = KES 540,000
Example 3: Lavington 3-bed apartment
- Purchase price: KES 28,000,000
- Stamp duty: 4 percent x KES 28,000,000 = KES 1,120,000
Example 4: Karen 4-bed standalone
- Purchase price: KES 85,000,000
- Stamp duty: 4 percent x KES 85,000,000 = KES 3,400,000
Example 5: Runda premium standalone
- Purchase price: KES 180,000,000
- Stamp duty: 4 percent x KES 180,000,000 = KES 7,200,000
Example 6: AHP-eligible 1-bed in Park Road / Boma Yangu
- Purchase price: KES 3,500,000
- Stamp duty: exempt under AHP where qualifying
When stamp duty is paid
- Within 30 days of execution of transfer
- Paid via KRA iTax
- Late payment attracts penalty and interest
Who actually pays
- Statutory: buyer
- Some negotiated transactions split (rare)
- For new build off-plan: stamp duty paid at completion, not deposit
Stamp duty is the line item Nairobi buyers underestimate most often. Build it into the budget from day one.
How Goldstay handles it
For sourcing clients we model the full transaction cost including stamp duty before offer. Read also our pieces on Kenya stamp duty 2026 and total cost buying property Kenya.
Landlords who would rather not field any of it use our long-term property management instead.
The Goldstay Legal Desk covers Kenyan and Ghanaian property law, title diligence, sale agreements, stamp duty, succession and the regulatory environment that property owners and investors encounter. Pieces are written in collaboration with our advocate partners.
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