The County Government of Nairobi has announced a new crackdown that will target thousands of unauthorised buildings in the city, which pose both serious structural and health risks to residents.
In a notice on Wednesday, Nairobi's Environment and Urban Planning Department invited developers, property owners, land-buying companies, and investors with unapproved projects to apply for regularisation.
According to the county, the exercise will be guided by the Nairobi City County Regularisation of Unauthorised Development Act, 2025, which offers a lifeline to buildings put up without official approval by providing a pathway for them to be legalised under specific conditions.
Additionally, the process will involve the creation of a Regularisation Advisory Committee comprising technical experts such as planners, surveyors, engineers, architects, and officials from the lands, environment, and public health departments. This body will be responsible for reviewing all applications for unauthorised developments.
Meanwhile, the Chief Officer for Urban Development and Planning, Patrick Analo, added that the initiative will grant approvals to buildings and structures erected without permits but which meet minimum planning and safety standards.
Analo says the initiative seeks to grant approvals to buildings and structures erected without permits, but which meet minimum planning and safety standards.
According to Analo, in a bid to ensure maximum public participation in the exercise, the county government will publish notices of unauthorised developments in at least two national newspapers.
Additionally, he said that the regularisation will cover subdivisions, change of use, extensions, architectural plans, structural works, billboards, LEDs, wall wraps, and informal settlements on private land, to bring order to the city.
What Awaits Unapproved Buildings
According to City Hall, unapproved buildings and landlords who will fail to adhere to the directive will face enforcement under the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019.
The Act stipulates that such landlords be issued with enforcement notices requiring the developer to stop further construction or use of the property.
Additionally, the county may impose penalties or fines for breaching planning regulations or prosecute the offenders in court. Further, City Hall can order demolition, alteration, or removal of the unlawful development at the developer’s cost.
Most Affected Areas
The most affected areas include Ruai, Kasarani, Mwiki, Roysambu, and several parts of Embakasi, where disputes have involved land-buying companies, squatters, and government allocations. The county is also keen on resolving longstanding land ownership and planning disputes that have complicated development in various neighbourhoods.
How to Apply
All applicants will be required to file their requests via the Nairobi Planning and Development Management System (NPDMS), which is available online.
