Nairobi County Gives Landlords 48 Hours to Repaint Buildings or Face Closure
The Nairobi City County Government has issued a two-day ultimatum to landlords to repaint their buildings or risk penalties, in a renewed effort to restore the capital’s aesthetic appeal and uphold public health standards. The announcement comes ahead of a major inspection drive scheduled for Monday, targeting property owners who failed to comply with a 14-day notice issued last month. County Executive for Health Suzanne Silantoi said teams will traverse all major zones, ensuring buildings align with the county’s urban renewal and hygiene directives.
Silantoi noted that while many property owners had begun repainting, several still lag behind. The directive applies to landlords, management firms, and tenants across key commercial and residential areas, including the Central Business District, Westlands, Upper Hill, Ngara, and Kirinyaga Road. Non-compliant property owners risk facing statutory closures, fines, or prosecution. Governor Johnson Sakaja, who previously waived repainting permit fees to ease the financial burden on landlords, emphasized that the initiative is part of a broader plan to revitalize Nairobi’s image as a clean, well-maintained, and investor-friendly city.
The enforcement stems from Section 118(b) of the Public Health Act (Cap 242), which empowers counties to ensure that buildings in poor condition do not pose public health hazards. City Hall has warned that repeat offenders will incur daily fines or surcharges until they comply. The directive forms part of the ongoing citywide beautification and sanitation campaign, which also includes regulating hawker activity, restricting noise pollution from business premises, and enforcing cleanliness standards in the CBD.
Although the repainting directive was first issued in October, compliance was delayed due to heavy rains that hindered painting works. The county has since granted an additional grace period, with this week marking the final enforcement phase. As Nairobi intensifies efforts to modernize and project itself as a world-class metropolis, county authorities have maintained that no further extensions will be granted, urging all landlords to act promptly to avoid disruptions and legal consequences