Experts warn of Nairobi high-rise crisis as illegal buildings undermine safety, oversight
Professional groups expressed concerns that the city’s development control processes have weakened and that political interference has led to bypassing important safety standards.
Nairobi’s built environment professionals have raised alarms over the unchecked rise of illegal and non-compliant high-rise buildings, warning that the issue threatens public safety and the city’s planning integrity.
In a statement released on Thursday, several professional groups in Nairobi called for an urgent audit of all high-rise building approvals to ensure compliance with building regulations.
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They expressed concerns that the city’s development control processes have weakened and that political interference has led to bypassing important safety standards.
“Nairobi is at a tipping point,” the group stated, highlighting the risks posed by the growing number of non-compliant buildings that undermine the safety of residents and erode trust in Kenya’s planning institutions.
The professionals also criticised the lack of transparency around development approvals, noting the recent blocking of a Nairobi County Assembly subcommittee investigating these issues as a sign of weakened oversight.
They insisted that the unchecked construction is also causing environmental harm, with illegal buildings encroaching on riparian reserves and depleting green spaces.
These developments, they argue, are contributing to climate risks and damaging Nairobi’s ecological balance.
"The sustainability of Nairobi’s future hinges on strict adherence to environmental safeguards,” the statement read.
The group has laid out a five-point call to action: conducting a comprehensive audit of high-rise approvals, disclosing compliance records, implementing stronger development controls free from political influence, offering protection to whistleblowers, and creating a multi-stakeholder dialogue on urban resilience.
“This is not just a political matter,” the statement concluded, calling for coordinated action to restore integrity to Nairobi's built environment.
Lack of clear guidelines
Last September, the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) raised concerns over a lack of clear guidelines on approvals, which has caused delays in project initiation.
"Delayed approvals up to more than one year have led to losses since one cannot start the project on time," the association said.
The Nairobi County government is currently considering a zoning policy that could permit buildings in the central business district, Upper Hill and other key commercial areas to reach heights of up to 75 floors.
However, with lingering uncertainty over the policy, developers may continue to be cautious before committing to new projects.
Recently, the Nairobi County Government reduced the building approval timeline from six months to two weeks in a bid to eliminate bureaucratic delays that have long hampered development.
The inefficiencies in the previous system had forced developers to endure long wait times, increased costs, and, in some cases, to resort to informal methods to expedite the process, leading to unsafe and non-compliant structures.
During a meeting with the Kenya Property Developers Association (KPDA) and members at City Hall, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja directed that all building approvals be completed within 14 days.
"By reducing the approval timeline to be done after every two weeks, property developers can expect a more timely and predictable process, allowing them to plan and execute their projects more effectively," Sakaja said.
The initiative aims to streamline operations in the construction sector by promoting compliance with safety standards while reducing unnecessary delays.
Nairobi has recorded multiple building collapses due to non-compliance with regulations, resulting in loss of lives and property.
According to Sakaja, enforcing a structured approval process will not only enhance efficiency but also ensure that developers adhere to required building standards, ultimately fostering a safer and more robust construction sector.
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