Nairobi residents furious as illegal billboards turn city streets into visual chaos, demand Sakaja's action
In January, City Hall authorised the removal of unauthorised signage in the CBD, with Sakaja declaring overhanging signs illegal and urging business owners to comply with county regulations.
Mugo Theuri thought of himself as a competent driver until he moved to Nairobi for a new driving job. With a valid driving licence and years of experience navigating the rough, ridge-filled rural roads, he believed he was well prepared for the city’s traffic.
But within just two months, Mugo was arrested twice by traffic police for flouting road rules. He has also hit a pedestrian and veered into a ditch. He blames these incidents on Nairobi’s haphazard billboards and signage, which he says block his view and break his concentration.
“When I came to Nairobi for a new job with a public service vehicle as a driver, I realised that it's easy to cause accidents because of a lot of unplanned billboards and signage that rob you of your concentration,” said Theuri.
He fears that new drivers in the city will struggle to avoid accidents.
“Drivers who are new in the city are usually astonished by there are a lot of billboards and signage that not only block road signs but also block vision,” he added.
Streets cluttered
When The Eastleigh Voice toured parts of Nairobi on Thursday, Theuri’s concerns were clear. In areas such as Westlands and Kilimani, large and small billboards cluttered the streets—many advertising dubious businesses like massage parlours.
Nyandia Gachago believes the situation is out of control and that order is urgently needed.
“It is horrible. We need some order. Brothels are being advertised on every corner as massage spas. Tens of billboards within meters of each other,” she protested.
Dr Austin Omondi also called for firm action from Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration.
“Nairobi should get rid of billboards everywhere. It makes the city look so disorganised,” said Omondi.
Unregulated advertising has been a persistent headache for the governor, who has twice this year ordered crackdowns with limited success.
In January, City Hall authorised the removal of unauthorised signage in the central business district (CBD). Sakaja declared that overhanging signs along corridors were illegal and urged business owners to comply with county regulations.
Sparked backlash
That directive, however, sparked backlash. The Retail Trade Association of Kenya (RETRAK) condemned the move, accusing the county of ignoring the interests of businesses and communities.
The organisation argued that City Hall had vandalised signage, including some with valid 2025 licences.
“Abrupt measures such as this create unnecessary uncertainty, undermine confidence, and risk significant financial losses for affected businesses,” it said.
RETRAK urged the county government to consult business owners before taking such actions.
Illegal billboards
In September, Chief Officer for Urban Development and Planning, Patrick Analo, confirmed that the crackdown was targeting illegal billboards on major roads such as Mombasa Road, Ngong Road, Waiyaki Way, and James Gichuru Road.
“Advertising companies are urged to undertake self-removal of these billboards because if we remove them, we will impound them and charge the companies a removal penalty,” Analo stated.
The county has also linked some billboard companies to vandalism of streetlight power cables, which they tamper with to mount unauthorised adverts.
Alongside the crackdown, Nairobi has been investing in new street lighting on Lower Hill Road, Dar es Salaam Road, Enterprise Road, Arboretum Drive, and in residential and commercial areas, including Kilimani, the CBD, Buruburu, and Westlands.
The campaign gained further attention when City Hall pulled down a controversial billboard on Kenyatta Avenue, which officials said violated advertising standards and spoiled the city’s natural aesthetics.
Analo emphasised that Nairobi’s landscape, with its blend of greenery and urban design, must be protected from visual clutter.
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