The Nairobi County Government has issued a final warning to property owners and managers in the city centre, giving them just two weeks to repaint their buildings or face legal action.
In a notice signed by Acting County Secretary Godfrey Akumali, the directive applies to all buildings within the Central Business District, Westlands, Upper Hill, Ngara, Kirinyaga Road, and other designated shopping areas. The order also requires the repair of faulty security lights.
“This notice takes effect immediately and remains valid for fourteen days only,” the statement read. “Failure to comply will result in statutory closure orders and prosecution in line with Sections 115, 118, and 126 of the Public Health Act.”
The move, the county says, is meant to improve Nairobi’s appearance and ensure compliance with public health and housing standards. Officials have anchored the order on the Public Health Act (Cap 242) and the Physical and Land Use Planning Act (2019), laws that empower local authorities to enforce urban hygiene and structural upkeep.
City Hall has also waived repainting permit fees to encourage compliance — a gesture intended to make the clean-up less burdensome for property owners.
The directive follows an earlier one issued on 22 January 2025, which gave owners 90 days to repaint or repair their premises. But with little visible progress, the county is now tightening enforcement.
County officials say the campaign is part of a wider effort by Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration to restore Nairobi’s aesthetic charm after years of neglect.
Some landlords, however, have raised concerns about the short timeline and potential costs, especially for ageing buildings that require more extensive work. Others have welcomed the move, saying it could revive the city’s image and attract more business.
As the 14-day deadline looms, all eyes are on City Hall’s next steps — whether it will follow through on its threat of closures or work with building owners to find a middle ground.
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