Sakaja Warns Property Owners to Regularise Illegal Buildings Before Crackdown Begins
By Bruno Mugala Atonya
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has issued a firm warning to property owners with illegal or unapproved buildings, urging them to take advantage of the limited grace period to regularise their developments or face legal consequences once the window closes.
Speaking during the United Winner DT Sacco’s 25th Anniversary celebrations, Sakaja reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enforcing building and planning regulations under the Regularisation of Unauthorised Development Act, 2025.
“If you know you have an illegal building, you have a window to regularise. Please come and regularise. When that window closes, that’s it; the law will take its course,” the governor cautioned.
According to Sakaja, the Nairobi City County Government will soon embark on a citywide crackdown to ensure all unauthorised structures comply with urban planning and safety standards.
A public notice from the Department of Built Environment and Urban Planning has already called on developers, land-buying companies, and property owners to apply for regularisation.
“It’s not about money; it’s our duty to ensure urban development happens in an orderly manner — with proper public utilities, access for emergencies, and structural integrity,” Sakaja emphasised. “That’s why we’re giving this window to regularise. After that, we will take action.”
The initiative, he explained, is designed to legitimise existing buildings constructed without proper approvals, provided they meet the county’s minimum safety and planning standards. However, those that fail to comply will face enforcement under the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019.
Areas most affected include Ruai, Kasarani, Mwiki, Roysambu, and parts of Embakasi, where unapproved developments and land disputes have long hindered Nairobi’s orderly urban growth.
Chief Officer for Urban Development and Planning Patrick Analo assured property owners that the exercise is both lawful and fair, noting that it aligns with previous court rulings on disputed developments.
“Some of these matters have been through the courts, and rulings were made. We are now giving property owners a fair chance to regularise before enforcement begins,” he stated.
Applications for regularisation must be submitted through registered professionals — including architects, physical planners, structural engineers, and environmental experts — via the Nairobi Planning and Development Management System (NPDMS).
Governor Sakaja reaffirmed that the county’s ultimate goal is to restore order to Nairobi’s built environment, protect public safety, and ensure all developments align with the city’s long-term urban growth plan.
“This is about the future of our city,” he concluded. “Nairobi must grow in an organised, safe, and sustainable way.”
