Nairobi Property Owners Face Penalties for Non-Compliance with Repainting Directive
Property owners in Nairobi who have not repainted their buildings within the 14-day deadline set by City Hall are now at risk of facing penalties. This comes as the county government initiates a citywide inspection on Monday, November 10, to ensure that urban maintenance standards are met.
Health and Nutrition CEC Suzanne Silantoi confirmed the operation, stating that officers from the County Department of Health and Nutrition will conduct intensive verification to identify non-compliant buildings. “From Monday, our officers will commence compliance checks on all buildings, both those that have repainted and those that have not,” Silantoi said. She added that while many property owners have responded positively, some are still lagging behind.
The directive applies to property owners, tenants, and management agents in key commercial zones such as the CBD, Westlands, Upper Hill, Ngara, Kirinyaga Road, and major shopping centers. Non-compliant buildings could face penalties such as statutory closure or prosecution.
“Restoring Nairobi’s image as a clean, modern African capital is paramount. This is the capital city. We must reflect that in how our buildings look,” Silantoi emphasized. The initiative aims to enhance the city’s appearance and promote public health and hygiene.
To encourage compliance, Governor Johnson Sakaja waived all repainting permit fees. This move is intended to ease the financial burden on property owners during challenging economic times. The directive is based on the Public Health Act (Cap 242) and the Physical and Land Use Planning Act (2019), which require all buildings to meet minimum public health and maintenance standards.
Silantoi noted that a commendable number of property owners have already complied with the directive, including the I&M Building among others. However, she lamented that some have ignored the notice, with several buildings reportedly not repainted since they were constructed decades ago.
The Health and Nutrition Department explained that the directive is not just about aesthetics but also about hygiene, pride, and restoring Nairobi’s image as a clean, modern African capital. Speaking at a past forum, Sakaja stressed that Nairobi cannot be allowed to fall into decay. “We cannot allow Nairobi to fall into decay. Every stakeholder must play their part in keeping the city clean, safe, and livable,” he said.
City Hall has made it clear that no extensions will be granted for the repainting deadline. The ultimatum underscores Sakaja’s broader vision to modernize Nairobi and transform it into an orderly, investor-friendly city. The success of this initiative will depend largely on how quickly property owners comply and whether enforcement is uniformly applied across all affected areas.
With inspections set to begin on Monday, Nairobians should expect a renewed push to restore the city’s skyline and reinforce its identity as a vibrant, modern African capital.