Public outcry as Nairobi County government pushes for 75-storey buildings policy
Residents criticised the county for failing to manage drainage issues and enforce environmental protection measures in Parklands.
A three-day public participation forum at Charter Hall on Nairobi's Development Control Policy saw heated debates as residents, contractors, and county officials engaged in discussions over the county's proposal to allow buildings as tall as 75 storeys in select areas.
The policy, which has been under review, aims to guide Nairobi's rapid urban growth.
However, stakeholders, particularly residents' associations, expressed strong opposition, citing concerns over infrastructure, environmental impact, and lack of accountability.
Residents from various neighbourhoods raised issues about the policy's failure to address existing infrastructure problems.
Lavington residents argued that development should not take place without proper infrastructure.
"If one reads the policy, it appears there is an agenda against residential homes. One day we have free public space within a residential area, and the next day, a commercial building is set up," a representative said.
Drainage issues
Residents criticised the county for failing to manage drainage issues and enforce environmental protection measures in Parklands.
"We see developers pledging to plant seven trees for every tree cut, but that is not happening. If drainage is already a nightmare now, what will happen when more high-rise buildings are constructed?" one resident asked.
Similarly, the Metro Alliance group faulted the county for its waste management failures.
"The policy does not indicate how the county will handle the increased waste. More development means more waste how will this be managed?" they asked.
They also pushed back against unnecessary deforestation.
"Who said trees must be cut for development? Why can't we have development while sparing trees?"
More transparency
Spring Valley residents demanded more transparency in the planning process.
"The policy should require developers to engage residents before submitting their proposals for approval."
Residents of Upper Hill questioned the feasibility of the policy.
An aerial view of Nairobi City. (Photo: MicroDrone Africa)
"We are on the Wilson Airport flight path, yet this policy proposes buildings of up to 75 floors. How is that even possible when we already have problems with water, sewer systems, and garbage collection?"
Westlands residents, however, took a different stance.
"Nairobi's population is growing, and while we may have different opinions, we must accommodate others."
Loresho residents warned against turning Nairobi into a "concrete jungle".
"Public open spaces within estates should be preserved," one resident insisted.
Frustration
Some participants voiced frustration with past engagements.
"We were here last year for the land policy discussions, yet we never received any feedback. Are we wasting our time?" one resident asked.
Others from Karen and Lang'ata echoed similar sentiments.
"Since 2021, we have attended public participation forums but have never received responses from the county government. This policy lacks infrastructure assessment, a proper county land plan, and was drafted without prior public input," they complained.
A resident from Bahati estate where City Hall plans to have an affordable housing programme, said they don't trust the government.
"The county started affordable housing projects in Pangani and Jeevanjee more than five years ago, and they have stalled. Now they want to approve more developments? We don't trust them," a Bahati resident remarked.
Nominated MCA Nasra Nanda (centre), a member of the Nairobi County Assembly Planning and Housing Committee, speaks during a public participation forum at Charter Hall on February 20, 2025. (Photo: Maureen Kinyanjui)
Defended policy
Former city clerk and Planning CEC Tom Odongo defended the policy, saying it was part of a broader strategic vision to transform Nairobi into a polycentric city.
"Nairobi was initially developed as a monocentric city, which has become inefficient. The new plan aims to restructure it into a multi-centre urban model," he explained.
However, he questioned whether the policy was strong enough to drive this transformation.
"Can this policy be the instrument that moves us from a monocentric to a polycentric city? That is the question we must ask ourselves," Odongo said.
City Hall's Chief Officer for Urban Planning, Patrick Analo stressed the need for a proper regulatory framework beyond just zoning regulations.
Nairobi’s Urban Planning Chief Patrick Analo assures property developers of action on harassment and bribery concerns. pic.twitter.com/14ziwcdL9O
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"Nairobi has not had an updated development control policy since 2004. We cannot continue operating like this. A development framework is necessary to guide decision-making. Over and above the development control policy, we also have local physical development plans that need to be funded and implemented,” he said.
He also called for more funding for local physical development plans.
"The assembly should allocate more resources to ensure proper urban planning," Analo said.
He assured residents that stakeholder feedback would be considered before the policy is finalised.
Right to demand services
Nominated MCA Nasra Nanda, a member of the Nairobi County Assembly Planning and Housing Committee, acknowledged residents' frustrations.
"This is your city, and you have a right to demand services," she said.
The legislator pointed out that key concerns raised from the forum included corruption, poor compliance, and lack of accountability.
She also proposed setting up a whistleblower council to protect residents from rogue developers and where they can report irregularities in approvals.
"We need to ensure that residents' voices are heard without compromising their safety," Nasra said.
"We all know some developers operate with impunity. We must ensure residents' voices are heard without compromising their safety. One solution we are considering is forming an independent development monitoring task force at the neighbourhood level to track developments,' she added.
The task force at the ward level will be able to track development projects and provide real-time feedback to MCAs.
Additionally, she recommended the setting up a whistleblower platform to protect residents reporting irregularities in approvals.
Despite the different views from stakeholders, the planning committee assured residents that their concerns would be considered.
"We will take stakeholder views seriously before finalising the policy," said Alvin Olando, the chairperson of the Nairobi Assembly Planning Committee.
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