NAIROBI, Kenya — In a sweeping directive issued Tuesday, Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja has given all property owners in key city zones a stern ultimatum: repaint buildings within 14 days or they risk being shut down under public health laws.
The order, sent out via a notice from Acting County Secretary Godfrey Akumali, takes effect immediately and targets areas including the Central Business District (CBD), Upper Hill, Westlands, Ngara, Kirinyaga Road, and all designated shopping centres within Nairobi.
To smooth compliance, the Sakaja administration announced that repainting permit fees will be waived during this window, signaling a move to balance enforcement with incentives.
“This notice takes effect immediately and remains valid for fourteen days only. Failure to comply will result in statutory closure orders and prosecution in line with Sections 115, 118, and 126 of the Public Health Act,” the Notice reads.
Buildings whose façades appear dilapidated or whose paint is peeling present what the county terms a public health hazard.
Under Section 118(b) of the Public Health Act, devolved governments are empowered to ensure structures maintain outward conditions that do not pose harm to residents or passersby.
The directive comes as part of a broader “clean-up and modernisation” push by the county. In recent months, authorities have cracked down on litter, noise pollution, and unauthorized street vending, particularly in CBD corridors.
In a nod to fairness, the county has explicitly extended the repainting mandate not only to owners but also to tenants, property management firms, and agents who may control facade upkeep. Non-compliance could lead not just to closure, but to legal action.
This is not the first time such orders have been issued. In January 2025, Sakaja directed a similar compliance drive, giving landlords 90 days to repaint or face enforcement.
This time, the county has opted for sharper timelines, just two weeks, emphasizing urgency.
For owners in the affected zones, this means swift action: engage painters, secure materials, and ensure façades meet minimum standards.
While the waiver of fees removes a financial hurdle, the tight grace period allows little margin for delays.
Whether the bold directive will succeed in restoring urban aesthetics or spark disputes over enforcement remains to be seen. But for now, the message is clear: Neglect your building’s facade, and it may be forced to shut its doors.
