Kileleshwa Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA), Robert Alai, has issued a direct threat to forcibly remove billboards in his constituency, escalating a long-running dispute over what he describes as an illegal invasion of public and residential spaces. In statements made public on Friday, 14 November 2025 (EAT), Alai accused Nairobi City County officials of failing to enforce planning laws, allowing a proliferation of unauthorized advertising structures.

The MCA has been on a sustained campaign against the billboards, which he argues violate zoning regulations and degrade the residential character of Kileleshwa. In a social media post on Saturday, 1 November 2025, Alai alleged that rogue officers and advertising companies were colluding to erect billboards without the necessary county approvals. He identified several hotspots for these illegal installations, including Waiyaki Way, Olenguruone Road, Oloitokitok Road, and James Gichuru Road.

Allegations of Impunity and Intimidation

Alai’s campaign intensified on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, when he claimed to have met with senior officials from Governor Johnson Sakaja's administration, including Planning Chief Officer Patrick Analo. Following the meeting, Alai publicly demanded the removal of all billboards from Kileleshwa and named several major advertising firms—Magnate, Sharks, ADsite, Live AD, and Look Media—urging them to operate within the law or cease operations in the area.

The legislator’s accusations point to a deeper issue of alleged impunity. He has claimed that some billboard owners boast of high-level connections, including relatives of cabinet secretaries, and use intimidation tactics, such as threatening residents with firearms. Furthermore, Alai has directly accused officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and local police stations of providing security and assistance for the nocturnal erection of these structures, bypassing all legal procedures. “You wake up and find Sakaja's gang has erected a huge billboard blocking the sun and your view,” Alai stated in a post on 12 November, capturing the frustration of affected residents.

Nairobi's Regulatory Framework Under Scrutiny

The conflict brings into sharp focus the legal framework governing outdoor advertising in Kenya's capital. The Nairobi City County Outdoor Advertising and Signage Control and Regulation Act provides specific guidelines for the erection of any advertising sign, requiring prior written approval from the county government. The law is intended to control the number, size, and location of billboards to prevent visual clutter, ensure public safety, and protect the environment. Alai has noted that Kileleshwa's designation as an 'Area of Partial Control' under city planning policies should afford it stricter protection from such commercial developments.

Outdoor advertising is a significant revenue stream for the Nairobi County government. However, reports indicate that the county loses over KSh 1 billion annually from advertisers who evade licence fees and illegally install billboards. This revenue leakage has prompted the county to occasionally launch its own crackdowns on illegal structures and defaulters. In a notice dated 12 November 2025, the county's Urban Planning Department announced an enforcement operation to remove all illegal billboards and prosecute defaulters.

A Test for City Hall's Authority

The standoff presents a critical challenge to the authority of the Nairobi City County government. Alai's direct-action threat suggests a loss of faith in official channels to resolve the issue, which he frames as a battle against a corrupt nexus of business and political interests that has “captured the leadership of the assembly.” The MCA's sustained pressure, coupled with public complaints from residents, places the onus on Governor Sakaja’s administration to demonstrate its commitment to enforcing its own laws impartially.

The outcome of this confrontation in Kileleshwa will have wider implications for urban planning and the rule of law across Nairobi. It will signal whether City Hall can effectively regulate the lucrative but chaotic outdoor advertising industry or if powerful, well-connected individuals can continue to operate with impunity, overriding zoning laws and the rights of residents. The situation remains tense as residents and businesses await action from either the county government or the MCA.