Sakaja extends Nairobi’s building approvals task force tenure by 60 days

Nairobi County has agreed to extend the mandate of the Task Force on Building Plan Approvals by an additional 60 days.

During this period, the task force will carry out a thorough audit of all buildings constructed in the past two years to ensure they meet approved plans and comply with relevant regulations.

The decision was reached during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, which was chaired by Governor Johnson Sakaja.

"The Cabinet has approved the Taskforce's proposed extension of the operational period by an additional sixty (60) days. This extension will provide the necessary scope to comprehensively address the issue," the cabinet dispatch reads.

The audit also extends to approved building plans where construction has not yet begun, with the task force reviewing for any discrepancies, irregularities, or deviations from the approved plans.

Key challenges include the lack of updated guidelines for plan evaluation and the absence of effective deterrents for regulatory violations.

"The task force is working to establish clear criteria for evaluations and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to foster responsible development practices," reads the cabinet dispatch.

The county highlighted an urgent need to boost its administrative capacity to effectively manage and oversee developments due to rapid urban expansion and a surge in construction projects.

Task Force on Building Plan Approvals

The task force was officially formed on June 12, 2024, and gazetted on July 19, 2024.

It comprises members from key agencies including the National Construction Authority (NCA), Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), Town & County Planners Association of Kenya (TCPAK), Institute of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), Kenya Institute of Planners (KIP), Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK).

Nairobi Governor Johsnon Sakaja addresses the media at a past press conference. (Photo: Johnson Sakaja)

The task force had been given between 30 and 60 days to conclude the process and submit a report for implementation.

There is a proposal by Governor Sakaja's administration seeking to raise building limits to 15 floors.

This proposal, along with a broader plan to revise zoning regulations, has ignited controversy among stakeholders.

Over 26 professional and resident groups in Nairobi opposed the proposal.

If adopted, the new policy would increase height limits in areas like Kilimani, Kileleshwa, and Muthangari to 15 floors, with the Central Business District potentially reaching 75 floors.

According to the proposal, zone three, which has a limit of 30 floors, includes the Westlands Central Business District (CBD), Westlands Museum Hill, and the surrounding areas.

In the new policy, areas in the Central Business District, including Haile Selassie, University Way, Uhuru Highway and Tom Mboya Street, will be classified as zone one with a floor limit of 75 floors, while areas surrounding the newly launched Railways City will have a limit of 50 floors.

Valley Road, Uhuru Highway, Dennis Pritt Road, Ralph Bunche Road and State House Road will also be limited to 75 floors.

Other roads with similar limits include Ngong Road, Hospital Road, Upperhill Link Road, Mbagathi Way, Argwings Kodhek Road, and Ralph Bunche Road.

Eastleigh, Pumwani and Ziwani are classified under Zone 2 with a limit of 25 floors, while Riverside, Parklands and City Park are classified under Zone 3c with a limit of 20 floors.

Areas in Zone Six are those located in Muthaiga, Spring Valley, and those surrounding Karura Forest.

Nairobi River, Mathare River, Juja Road and Outer Ring Road have been classified as zone 7, with a limit of five floors.

It also includes areas such as Kariobang, Korogocho and Dandora.

The proposal is under review by the Nairobi City County Assembly's Planning Committee, marking yet another attempt to revisit regulations unchanged since 2004.

Previous efforts, including one by the now-defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Service, failed to materialise, raising questions about the county's commitment to effective urban planning.