The chaotic clutter of billboards, illegal structures, and dumped waste lining the JKIA-Westlands expressway is set to be bulldozed. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has issued a strict 14-day ultimatum to property owners and advertisers to restore the highway’s aesthetic appeal or face demolition and hefty fines.

In a public notice that signals a major facelift for the capital’s main artery, KeNHA Director General Kung’u Ndung’u described the current state of the corridor as an "eyesore" that betrays the city’s global status. The directive targets the stretch from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to the James Gichuru interchange.

The Clean-Up Checklist

"We have observed with concern the encroachment on the road reserve, unauthorized erection of signage, and littering that clogs our drainage systems," the notice reads. The authority has outlined a zero-tolerance approach:

• Illegal Billboards: All advertising structures erected without explicit KeNHA approval must be brought down. The authority warns that the visual noise is distracting motorists and compromising safety.
• Car Washes and Kiosks: Informal businesses that have mushroomed on the road shoulders, particularly around Mombasa Road, have been given two weeks to vacate.
• Drainage Sabotage: Property owners who direct raw sewage or waste into the highway’s drainage system will face prosecution under the Roads Act.

A City in Transformation

The move aligns with Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s "Orderly City" mantra, but it is likely to face resistance from the powerful outdoor advertising lobby and small traders. However, KeNHA is adamant: the 14-day clock is ticking, and when it hits zero, the bulldozers will roar. For Nairobians, the promise is a cleaner, safer, and more scenic drive through the city’s heart.