Nairobi City County has launched a fresh crackdown to bring thousands of unauthorized developments into compliance with planning laws. The initiative, under the Nairobi City County Regularization of Unauthorized Development Act, 2025, invites developers, property owners, land-buying companies, and investors with unapproved projects to apply for regularization.
Chief Officer for Urban Development and Planning, Patrick Analo, stated that the exercise aims to approve buildings and structures erected without permits, provided they meet minimum planning and safety standards. The regularization covers subdivisions, change of use, extensions, architectural plans, structural works, billboards, LEDs, wall wraps, and informal settlements on private land.
To ensure transparency, the county will publish notices of unauthorized developments in at least two national newspapers. Mr. Analo highlighted that the program also seeks to resolve long-standing land ownership and planning disputes in areas such as Ruai, Kasarani, Mwiki, Roysambu, and parts of Embakasi.
Projects that fail to comply with the regulations will face enforcement under the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019. The Kirima land case, involving the late Gerishon Kirima’s family and thousands of settlers, exemplifies the type of disputes City Hall is determined to resolve.
All applications must be submitted via registered professionals—including physical planners, architects, structural engineers, and environmental experts—through the Nairobi Planning and Development Management System (NPDMS).