City Hall./FILE
Nairobi City County has launched a public awareness campaign allowing developers and property owners to regularise unauthorised but structurally sound buildings without penalties, as it opens a six-month compliance window running until December.
The programme, unveiled by County Executive Committee Member for Built Environment and Urban Planning Patrick Mbogo under the Nairobi City County Regularisation of Unauthorised Developments Regulations, 2025, is aimed at aligning unapproved developments with planning and construction laws.
Chief Officer for Urban Development and Planning Patrick Analo said property owners have until December to legalise their developments before the county begins strict enforcement against defaulters.
He said the initiative seeks to strengthen land ownership security, protect property rights, and improve urban planning, infrastructure, and service delivery across the city.
The exercise covers both ongoing and completed developments, giving developers a one-time opportunity to comply with regulations.
Property owners have been encouraged to submit available documentation even where some requirements are missing. The County Urban Planning Department will guide applicants through the process and advise on additional requirements where necessary.
Developments that meet the required conditions will first receive conditional approvals before being issued with Certificates of Compliance once all county requirements are fulfilled.
The regularisation exercise will cover change or extension of land use, subdivision and amalgamation of land parcels, building plan approvals, occupation certificates, and lease renewals.
However, county officials clarified that structures built on public land, riparian areas, protected zones, unsafe buildings, and developments undertaken in violation of court orders will not qualify for the programme.
Mbogo said the initiative is designed to reduce conflicts arising from enforcement actions, prevent avoidable demolitions, improve access to financing through proper documentation, and ensure orderly urban development aligned with Nairobi’s long-term planning goals.
He warned that once the six-month grace period expires in December, the county will intensify enforcement against non-compliant developments, including possible demolition and other regulatory action.
