Senators Demand Demolition of 41 High-Rise Buildings Near Wilson Airport

A major standoff has emerged between the Kenyan legislature and aviation officials over the safety of flight paths at Nairobi Wilson Airport.

The Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing has rejected a government proposal to alter aircraft approach paths, but legislators are demanding the immediate demolition of 41 high-rise developments.

Aviation Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika informed lawmakers that authorities were exploring alternative routes over Nairobi National Park, or constructing an entirely new runway.

This proposal aims to save developers from huge financial losses, it follows concerns that many owners acquired proper documentation from local authorities.

However, the committee members dismissed the suggestion of extending favors to developers, who violated strict aviation safety regulations.

Senators argued that when ordinary citizens build on riparian land, the government demolishes those structures without hesitation.

A survey conducted in October 2024 sampled 134 structures, it singled out 41 buildings that breached safety parameters.

These properties penetrate the Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS), it represents the protected airspace required for safe take-offs and landings.

The high-risk areas include South C, Nairobi West, although the busy Lang'ata Road corridor is also heavily impacted.

According to Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) regulations, the recommended maximum height for structures in these zones is 21 meters.

The survey revealed that some buildings exceeded this limit by more than 20 meters, it poses a severe risk to aircraft manoeuvrability.

Among the non-compliant structures is the new office complex for the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), it surpasses the allowed height by six meters.

The Local Authorities Provident Fund (Lapfund) owns a building standing at 69 meters, although its recommended height was 63 meters.

The Nairobi East (South C) Hospital Ltd structure reaches 50 meters, but the KCAA recommendation is capped at 33 meters.

Private properties are also on the list, including a structure owned by Moses Muchai that reaches 48 meters instead of 26 meters

Another developer, Anastasia Wariara Kaara, owns a building measuring 56 meters, when the prescribed safety height is only 33 meters.

Abdullahi Ahmed Mohamed owns a 54-meter building, but the safety limit for that specific site is 31 meters.

KCAA acting Director General Nicholas Bodo told senators that Nairobi City County overlooked the aviation regulator, when it approved these developments.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) also raised concerns regarding disputed land near the Southern Bypass, it falls within the Runway End Safety Area.

This dispute occurs while Wilson Airport undergoes a Sh1.4 billion rehabilitation of runway 07/25, although that project faces significant delays.

Aviation stakeholders warned that poor workmanship on the runway upgrade compromises safety, when operations are concentrated on a single path.

The Senate committee has now summoned all players, including the Nairobi City County executive, to explain the unauthorized planning approvals.

The committee insists that no developer should remain insulated from law enforcement, if the safety of local aviation is at stake.

Nominated Senator Peris Tobiko led the pushback against the ministry, although official custom usually avoids public confrontations between state departments.

The legislative team maintained that changing flight paths sets a dangerous precedent, it rewards individuals for breaching national building codes.

Wilson Airport handles approximately 90 percent of domestic flights in Kenya, it serves as a critical hub for medical evacuations.

The final decision rests on upcoming cross-agency hearings, but the legislative stance signals an imminent crackdown on Nairobi vertical developments.