Nairobi targets Sh5 billion from new law to regularise unauthorised buildings in 3-year drive

A new legal framework is poised to unlock billions of shillings in revenue for Nairobi City County as the government begins implementing the Nairobi City County Regularisation of Unauthorised Developments Act, 2025.

Through this initiative, the county aims to generate at least Sh5 billion, forming part of a broader plan to raise Sh20.9 billion in revenue for the 2025/2026 financial year.

The regularisation process allows developers to seek retrospective approval for buildings that were either constructed without submitting plans or deviated from approved designs—for example, erecting five floors after receiving permission for only two. These approvals will be granted subject to penalties and compliance checks.

Speaking before the Nairobi County Assembly’s Planning Committee, Chief Officer for Urban Planning Patrick Analo said the exercise targets nearly two million residents living in informal or irregularly developed neighbourhoods.

“Our focus is on Embakasi East, Embakasi West, Embakasi North, Embakasi South, Ruai, Kasarani, Mwiki, and Roysambu. These are areas that were originally owned by land-buying companies or where government land was invaded by squatters. Some of these matters went to court and rulings were made,” Analo said.

He cited the case involving the late businessman Gerishon Kirima’s family and settlers as a key example.

“The court ruled in favour of the Kirima family, granting it the option to either evict settlers or negotiate buyouts. The parties have since agreed to pursue a buyout arrangement, paving the way for regularisation,” he said.

“All the areas I have mentioned are home to nearly two million people. The goal is to bring these people into the fold to enable them to get official county approvals for their land and to submit applications for buildings that were constructed without prior consent.”

The county government says the initiative is not just about enforcement but also economic empowerment. Once regularised, residents will be able to use the documentation to access credit, mortgages, and other financial services.

“Once they have these documents, it provides a sense of security. In many cases, banks ask where the property is located and whether the development was approved,” Analo said.

The county is also targeting 7,000 residents who recently received title deeds from Governor Johnson Sakaja. However, officials have cautioned residents in areas such as South B and South C against misusing the programme.

“The Physical Planning Act doesn’t allow anyone with a title deed to develop land without obtaining prior approval from the county government,” Analo warned.

He further clarified that no approvals will be granted for land currently under legal dispute.

The newly enacted Nairobi City County Regularisation of Unauthorised Developments Act, 2025 establishes a Regularisation Advisory Committee that includes a planner, surveyor, architect, engineer and representatives from public health, lands and the environment.

Applicants are required to submit detailed plans and supporting documentation prepared by licensed professionals. The advisory committee will review the applications and determine whether to approve, defer, or reject them.

Other Topics To Read

• City Affairs
• Nairobi revenue
• Nairobi City County
• Unauthorised Developments Act
• retrospective buildings approval
• Nairobi targets Sh5 billion from new law to regularise unauthorised buildings in 3-year drive
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To ensure transparency, the county government will publish notices listing unauthorised developments in at least two national newspapers.

A three-year deadline has been set for all unauthorised buildings to be regularised. Failure to comply may result in enforcement action, including demolition of structures deemed unsafe.