Three prime buildings in the Central Business District were yesterday placed under the management of Nairobi County Council over non payment of more than Sh3.6 million in rates.

The three are: Chester House on Koinange Street, Marshall East African building on the adjacent Loita Street and Leadership House on Moi Avenue.

Officers from the revenue inspection unit at City Hall said Chester House had defaulted to pay Sh1.2 million, Marshall EA owners had not paid Sh656,762 while Leaders owners had not remitted close to Sh204,000.

"The operation has just begun and we shall not relent until we recover all the revenue. We have a list of all defaulters and they have to pay," said Steven Osiro, deputy treasurer at the County Council.

The officials said more than 20 buildings in the city had defied to pay their rates even after they were awarded extension period early this year.

The council is targeting to collect Sh80 million in arrears being held by defaulters.

After yesterday's clamping down, tenants of the three buildings were advised to pay their rent to county government to recover the debt of Sh3.6 million.

"We advise the tenants to pay their rent directly to the county government," Osore said.

The team which raided the building in an early morning operation also erected posters outside the main entrance indicating change of management of respective buildings.

The crackdown is expected to spread to city estates as well as industrial area where many defaulters reside.

The law allows the county government to collect rent from tenants to offset arrears of property owners who have defaulted to pay rates. The tenants are obliged to pay such amounts until the outstanding debt is fully recovered.

Last year, a number of councils across the country went wild and publicised in the media the need for defaulters to pay their arrears or risk punishment.