The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has cracked the whip on non-compliant advertisers, demanding the immediate regularization of all directional signs and billboards nationwide. In a stern notice that signals the end of the road for illegal structures, the authority has issued a strict 14-day ultimatum for owners to renew their permits or face demolition.

The directive, which sends shockwaves through the outdoor advertising sector, places the onus squarely on advertisers to ensure their structures adhere to the law. "KeNHA is mandated to control developments along roads and ensure that any billboard or other signage is approved and licensed," the authority stated in its latest advisory. This move is seen as a critical step in reclaiming road reserves and eliminating the visual clutter that has plagued major highways, often distracting motorists and compromising road safety.

Cleaning Up the Highways

For years, the proliferation of unapproved billboards has been a thorn in the flesh of urban planners and safety regulators. From the bustling Mombasa Road to the scenic Thika Superhighway, illegal structures have sprouted with impunity. The new ultimatum draws a line in the sand. Advertisers who fail to comply within the two-week window risk not only the destruction of their assets but also potential legal action. The authority has made it clear: the era of chaotic, unregulated roadside advertising is over.

• Compliance is Mandatory: All wayleave permits for billboards and directional signs must be renewed immediately.
• Safety First: The crackdown aims to remove obstructions that block driver visibility or encroach on road reserves.
• Revenue Streams: Regularization ensures the government collects due revenue from the lucrative outdoor advertising industry.

A Framework for Order

This enforcement drive is anchored in the Kenya Roads Act, 2007, which empowers KeNHA to protect road reserves. Industry stakeholders are now scrambling to beat the clock, with the 14-day countdown already ticking. For the compliant, it is business as usual; for the rogue operators, it is a race against time to formalize their existence before the bulldozers roll in.

"We are committed to bringing order to our road corridors," a KeNHA official remarked. "This is not just about rules; it is about the safety and aesthetic integrity of our national infrastructure." As the deadline looms, the message is unequivocal: Shape up or ship out.