The Mayor of Kinondoni Municipal Council, Songoro Mnyonge, has proposed introducing charges and regulations for privately owned swimming pools, describing them as a largely untapped source of local government revenue.
Speaking on March 2, 2025 during a council meeting of district councillors, Mnyonge said current laws remain silent on swimming pools, meaning the municipality collects nothing from what he described as a growing and profitable activity.
“However, the law is silent on swimming pools and we do not charge anything,” he said.
He argued that once a levy is introduced, clear conditions and legal requirements would also be set to guide construction, safety and compliance.
“For a long time Kinondoni has been quiet on swimming pools and we have not seen them as a revenue source. But in areas such as Kunduchi and in hotels, it is a big business and people pay a lot of money, yet the government and the council receive nothing,” he added.
The mayor said the council has now listed swimming pools among potential revenue streams and plans to draft by-laws to formalise the charges.
“This will help us recognise it officially as a source of income and give us legal powers to ensure people comply and pay,” he said.
