Nairobi City County to Regularise Unauthorised Developments in a Landmark Policy Shift

The Nairobi City County Cabinet, under the leadership of Governor Johnson Sakaja, has formally approved the Regularisation of Unauthorised Developments Regulations, 2025, marking a pivotal moment for urban planning and the construction sector in the capital. This decisive move establishes a clear, fair, and transparent framework intended to bring countless informal developments into compliance with existing county planning laws.

The new regulations operationalise the Nairobi City County Regularization of Unauthorised Developments Act, 2025, providing property owners and developers a structured path to legalise buildings that currently fall outside the formal system. The initiative is poised to replace years of uncertainty and the fear of demolitions with a renewed focus on order, safety, and dignity for Nairobi's residents and small business owners. 

Governor Sakaja emphasised the urgency of the moment, issuing a firm call to action for property owners to utilise the available grace period before the county commences targeted enforcement. He noted that the primary goal is not revenue generation but rather establishing safety, accountability, and order across the metropolitan area.

The new system mandates stringent adherence to safety standards, public health requirements, and environmental protection measures, ensuring that no regularised structure compromises the well-being of Nairobians. The guiding regulations outline clear procedures covering application submission, technical reviews by built-environment professionals, public participation, and an accessible dispute-resolution mechanism, reinforcing transparency at every stage.

Going forward, professionals involved in the submission process will be held accountable for the structural integrity and compliance of all remedial works. The legal framework will be transmitted to the County Assembly for final legislative approval and subsequent publication, paving the way for full implementation and fundamentally reshaping Nairobi’s construction landscape.