The Nairobi County Government has issued a two-day ultimatum to landlords across the capital to repaint their buildings or risk facing penalties. The directive precedes a major inspection exercise set to begin on Monday, targeting property owners who have yet to comply with a previous 14-day notice issued last month.
According to Health County Executive Suzanne Silantoi, inspection teams from her department will be deployed throughout the city to ensure buildings meet both public health and aesthetic standards outlined in the county’s urban renewal plan.
“From Monday, our officers will commence compliance checks on all buildings, both those that have been repainted and those that have not. We issued a 14-day ultimatum, and while many have responded positively, a number are still lagging,” Silantoi stated.
The enforcement will cover landlords, property managers, and tenants within key commercial and residential areas, including the Central Business District (CBD), Westlands, Upper Hill, Ngara, Kirinyaga Road, and other major business zones.
Buildings that fail to comply risk closure, fines, or prosecution, with City Hall emphasizing that the initiative seeks to improve Nairobi’s image while promoting public health and safety.
Governor Johnson Sakaja had earlier waived repainting permit fees to encourage landlords to comply, acknowledging the economic challenges faced by businesses and property owners. The repainting directive is part of the governor’s broader campaign to modernize and beautify Nairobi, with authorities warning that no further extensions or excuses will be accepted.
Under Section 118(b) of the Public Health Act (Cap 242), devolved governments are required to ensure that buildings are properly maintained and do not pose health risks to the public. Non-compliant landlords could face closure of their premises, revocation of occupancy permits, or prosecution under the Act.
City Hall has further cautioned that repeat offenders may incur additional fines or surcharges for each day they remain non-compliant, as part of efforts to uphold urban hygiene standards and restore Nairobi’s reputation as a clean and modern city.
The repainting order is part of a wider citywide clean-up campaign, which has also seen directives for hawkers to vacate certain CBD streets and for business owners to maintain cleanliness and avoid noise disturbances.
Initially issued in October, the repainting directive faced delays due to the short rainy season, which hampered painting activities. The county government subsequently extended the deadline to allow landlords more time to complete the exercise.
