City Hall Escalates Urban Renewal Campaign

The Nairobi City County Government has initiated legal proceedings against 19 landlords in the Central Business District (CBD) for failing to repaint their buildings, marking a significant escalation in Governor Johnson Sakaja’s campaign to modernise and restore the city's aesthetic appeal. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved the prosecution files for these property owners, who defied multiple notices issued throughout the year. This crackdown is part of a broader effort to enforce urban maintenance standards that authorities argue are crucial for public health and safety.

Speaking during a tour of the CBD on Monday, 10th November 2025, Nairobi County Executive Committee (CEC) member for Health, Suzanne Silantoi, confirmed the enforcement action. “We cannot name these buildings for now but the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has already approved 19 statements for prosecution,” Ms. Silantoi stated. She revealed that the targeted buildings are predominantly in downtown Nairobi, including along Kirinyaga Road. The landlord of the Easy Coach building has already been arrested and is expected to be arraigned in court, signaling City Hall's serious intent.

Legal Framework and Enforcement

The county's enforcement is anchored in the Public Health Act (Cap 242) and the Physical and Land Use Planning Act (2019). These national laws, supplemented by Nairobi City County by-laws, mandate that property owners maintain their premises in a clean and habitable condition, which includes regular repainting. Some county by-laws stipulate that buildings should be renovated and painted at least once a year. Penalties for non-compliance are severe, ranging from fines and statutory closure of premises to the suspension of business permits and, ultimately, prosecution.

The current crackdown is the culmination of a series of warnings. An initial 90-day notice was issued on 22nd January 2025. This was followed by a final 14-day ultimatum on 7th October 2025, which expired on 21st October 2025. To encourage compliance, Governor Sakaja’s administration waived the usual repainting permit fees. Despite these measures, defiance from some landlords prompted the latest phase of legal action. According to official figures released on Monday, 10th November, the county had issued 158 notices. Of these, only 41 building owners had fully complied, while 28 other cases were under review. Another 31 building owners are also facing possible prosecution for non-compliance.

Broader Context: Nairobi's Beautification Drive

This initiative is a core component of Governor Sakaja's broader vision to transform Nairobi into a clean, orderly, and globally competitive city. Since taking office, his administration has launched several interconnected projects, including upgrading pedestrian walkways with cabro paving and integrated lighting, installing new street furniture and trash bins, and clearing hawkers from main corridors. The repainting directive targets key commercial and residential hubs, including the CBD, Westlands, Upper Hill, Ngara, and Kirinyaga Road.

“This is not just about aesthetics; it's about hygiene, pride and restoring Nairobi's image as a clean, modern African capital,” Silantoi emphasised. The administration has lamented that some buildings have not been repainted for decades, posing potential public health hazards and contributing to urban decay. Previous administrations, including the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), had issued similar directives with limited success, often citing economic hardships faced by property owners. However, the current enforcement, marked by arrests and approved prosecution files, suggests a more resolute approach to urban management. The success of this campaign is being closely watched as a test of the county's ability to enforce by-laws and sustainably manage the city's rapid urbanisation.