City Hall's Renewed Push for Urban Aesthetics

Nairobi City County has issued a final 14-day ultimatum to property owners, tenants, and management agents in the Central Business District (CBD), Westlands, Upper Hill, Ngara, Kirinyaga Road, and other designated shopping areas to repaint their buildings and repair faulty security lights. The directive, signed by Acting County Secretary Godfrey Akumali on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, warns of statutory closure orders and prosecution for non-compliance.

This stringent notice follows an earlier directive issued on January 22, 2025, which provided a 90-day grace period for property owners to comply. With little visible progress observed since the initial notice, the county government is now adopting a tougher stance to enforce urban hygiene and aesthetic standards.

Legal Framework and Context

The county's action is anchored in the Public Health Act (Cap 242) and the Physical and Land Use Planning Act (2019). These laws empower local authorities to enforce urban hygiene, structural upkeep, and overall public health and housing standards.

Sections 115, 118, and 126 of the Public Health Act are specifically cited as the basis for potential prosecution and closure orders against non-compliant property owners. Additionally, Nairobi City County by-laws stipulate that every building within the county should be renovated and painted at least once a year.

Stakeholder Reactions and County Incentives

The directive has elicited mixed reactions among Nairobi residents and business owners. While some welcome the move as a long-overdue step to restore the capital's image, others have raised concerns about the short compliance window and the potential financial burden, particularly for older buildings requiring extensive work.

To encourage swift compliance and ease the financial load on property owners, Governor Johnson Sakaja's administration has waived all repainting permit fees for the duration of the notice. This incentive aims to make the clean-up less burdensome and support the city's beautification efforts.

Broader Urban Renewal Vision

This crackdown on building aesthetics is part of a wider urban renewal and regeneration programme spearheaded by Governor Sakaja's administration. The initiative aims to revitalize Nairobi's visual appeal, improve urban safety, and maintain hygiene standards across residential and commercial zones.

President William Ruto has also affirmed the national government's commitment to transforming Nairobi into a modern, livable, and accessible city. This includes initiatives like the rehabilitation of roads and walkways, and the ambitious Affordable Housing Programme. City Hall has also been actively paving pedestrian sidewalks to enhance the capital's aesthetics.

Evidence/Data Box

• Notice Issued: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
• Compliance Period: 14 days
• Affected Areas: CBD, Westlands, Upper Hill, Ngara, Kirinyaga Road, and other designated shopping centres.
• Legal Basis: Public Health Act (Cap 242) and Physical and Land Use Planning Act (2019).
• Previous Directive: Issued January 22, 2025, with a 90-day compliance period.
• Incentive: Waived repainting permit fees.

Unanswered Questions and Next Steps

While the county government has stated that no extensions will be granted, the uniform application of enforcement across all affected areas remains to be seen. The long-term impact on property values and business operations, particularly for small-scale traders, will also be a key area to watch.

Inspections are scheduled to commence immediately after the October 21, 2025, deadline. Property owners who fail to comply risk immediate closure of their premises and potential prosecution. This initiative echoes a previous, uncompleted campaign by the now-defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services, placing all eyes on Governor Sakaja's administration to see if this renewed push will successfully transform the city's appearance.

What to Watch

The coming weeks will reveal the extent of compliance and City Hall's resolve in enforcing the directive. Stakeholders will be closely monitoring the county's actions post-deadline, including the number of closures and prosecutions, and any potential legal challenges that may arise from property owners.