A worker repaints a building in Nairobi CBD /NCCGProperty owners in Nairobi who failed to repaint their buildings within the 14-day deadline issued by City Hall now face possible penalties.
This is being done as the county government begins a citywide inspection on Monday, November 10, to enforce urban maintenance standards.
Confirming the operation, Health and Nutrition CEC Suzanne Silantoi said officers from the County Department of Health and Nutrition will conduct intensive verification to identify buildings that remain non-compliant with the repainting directive.
“From Monday, our officers will commence compliance checks on all buildings, both those that have repainted and those that have not," Silantoi said.
"We issued a 14-day ultimatum, and while many have responded positively, a number are still lagging behind."
The directive applies to property owners, tenants and management agents in key commercial zones.
This is including the CBD, Westlands, Upper Hill, Ngara, Kirinyaga Road and major shopping centers.
Non-compliant buildings risk penalties such as statutory closure or prosecution.
“Restoring Nairobi’s image as a clean, modern African capital is paramount. This is the capital city. We must reflect that in how our buildings look,” Silantoi emphasised.
To boost compliance, Governor Johnson Sakaja waived all repainting permit fees, a move aimed at easing the financial burden on property owners amid tough economic times.
The directive is anchored in the Public Health Act (Cap 242) and the Physical and Land Use Planning Act (2019), which require all buildings to meet minimum public health and maintenance standards.
Silantoi noted that while a commendable number of property owners have already complied, including the I&M Building among others.
The CEC lamented that some have ignored the notice, with several buildings reportedly not repainted since they were constructed decades ago.
Earlier on, the country's Health and Nutrition Department revealed the reason behind the directive.
"This is not just about aesthetics; it’s about hygiene, pride and restoring Nairobi’s image as a clean, modern African capital,” the department said.
Speaking at a past forum, Sakaja stressed that Nairobi cannot be allowed to fall into decay.
We cannot allow Nairobi to fall into decay. Every stakeholder must play their part in keeping the city clean, safe, and livable,” he said.
City Hall had made it clear that no extensions will be granted.
The ultimatum underscored Sakaja’s broader vision to modernisw Nairobi and transform it into an orderly, investor-friendly city.
Its success, however, will largely depend on how quickly property owners heed the call and whether enforcement will be uniformly applied across all affected areas.
With inspections set to begin Monday, Nairobians should expect a renewed push to restore the city’s skyline and reinforce its identity as a vibrant, modern African capital.
