Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has backed a push to review the floor limit for residential buildings within Nairobi County citing the growing population and limited space.
Speaking during the launch of a hotel at the Global Trade Center (GTC) in Westlands on Tuesday, March 26, Sakaja confirmed that the 75 limit was in indeed proposed, clarifying that it would only apply to specific zones across the city.
He noted that several city residents had raised concern over the move as they expressed concern about how basic infrastructure such as sewage and transport systems would be affected.
In response, Sakaja explained that the new floor limit would be undertaken alongside expanding the current infrastructure to ensure that residents do not get affected in the process.
The proposal on the new floor limits has been tabled at the County Assembly for debate.
"When I was with the President on Sunday and I mentioned that we can only go up, I saw a little bit of hue and cry because people are concerned about the public infrastructure. I want to confirm and clarify that our development policy and zoning framework that we have taken to our assembly allow up to 75 floors in certain areas.
"I am glad that the competent infrastructure needed which is the sewerage, water and traffic is coming in toe. We will make Nairobi work and make it take its rightful place as the jewel of this continent," he stated.
On Sunday, Sakaja revealed that the government was looking to make changes to the floor limit in Nairobi. For estates near airports, he noted that the limit would be set at 25.
on the other hand, developers in other residential areas will be allowed to go even up to 75 floors in the new proposal.
At the time he explained that the review was necessary given the increasing population and demand for housing adding that President William Ruto had already given the proposal his backing.
“Nairobi is 696 square Kilometres, in 2050 the population will be 10.5 Million people and since we can’t expand the city, the only way to go is up,” he stated.
Following the revelations, some residents opined that the move would be detrimental if the government did not address the existing challenges of water and traffic.
Others also suggested that the government address the transport system within the Nairobi metropolis so that people can choose to live in satellite towns as they work in Nairobi.
