AAK calls for overhaul of Nairobi’s urban planning system, cites accountability concerns

The Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) has called for sweeping reforms to Nairobi's urban planning and development control system, saying governance and operational challenges within the Urban Planning Technical Committee (UPTC) are affecting transparency, accountability and the effectiveness of development approval processes in the capital.

The Association has urged the Nairobi County government, led by Governor Johnson Sakaja, to implement institutional changes aimed at improving the effectiveness, credibility and accountability of the UPTC and the wider development approval framework.

In a statement, AAK said its representatives serving on the committee provide independent technical expertise and multidisciplinary perspectives to support better planning decisions. However, the Association raised concerns over the increasing legal and professional exposure faced by external members despite their limited statutory authority.

“The Association emphasises that its representatives serve on the UPTC in an advisory capacity, providing independent technical expertise and multidisciplinary perspectives to strengthen planning decisions,” AAK said.

The Association said clearer governance structures, defined roles and appropriate legal safeguards were needed to ensure that members can effectively contribute to development control processes without uncertainty over their responsibilities and liabilities.

“The increasing legal and professional exposure faced by external members, despite their limited statutory authority, underscores the need for greater clarity on roles, responsibilities and accountability within the development approval processes,” it said.

AAK also raised concerns over the continued absence of comprehensive and gazetted Local Physical Development Plans (LPDPs) across Nairobi’s sub-counties, warning that development decisions made without an overarching spatial framework could increase pressure on public infrastructure and create uncertainty in planning outcomes.

“In their absence, development decisions are often made without the benefit of an overarching spatial framework, contributing to increased pressure on public infrastructure and growing uncertainty in development control outcomes,” the Association said.

The architects proposed several measures, including the adoption of clear terms of reference and standard operating procedures for the UPTC, improved administrative support, timely circulation of technical documents, enhanced public participation, stronger compliance and enforcement mechanisms, and transparent record management systems.

The call comes following the gazettement of the Nairobi City County Development Control Policy, 2026, which seeks to guide the management of development activities in the city.

AAK said strengthening the UPTC and the broader development control framework would help create a more transparent, efficient and accountable system capable of supporting Nairobi’s rapid urban growth.