Construction of the 88 Residential Tower began in 2018. The luxury project by Lordship Africa Group was meant to rise as Nairobi’s tallest residential building.
Delays hit almost immediately. Bureaucratic hurdles at Nairobi City County stalled progress within the first year.
The developer secured initial approvals late. Frequent technical failures in the county’s digital permitting system added to the problems. Inadequate staffing slowed processing of applications.
Former Governor Mike Sonko suspended the Technical Planning Committee in 2019. An audit had exposed fake permits and extortion. The 88 Tower site remained idle for seven months.
Broader cuts in construction approvals across several counties compounded the issue. Overall approvals dropped 32.8 percent to Sh141.27 billion.
Work resumed in late 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic then triggered fresh setbacks. Supply chain disruptions delayed material deliveries.
The Chinese contractor ZJCC Engineering and Construction Company Limited pushed on. An architectural redesign extended the timeline further. Completion slipped to 2023.
By June 2025 the project stood at 70 percent overall. Internal finishing was still underway. Jonathan Jackson, the developer, confirmed progress on electrical, plumbing and ceiling works.
Tiling in bathrooms and corridors had advanced. Kitchen and wardrobe installations were complete in several units. The structure had topped out.
The tower sits at the corner of 4th Ngong Avenue and Bishop’s Road in Upper Hill. It will feature 288 units across 48 floors once finished. Plans include 33 facilities and advanced security systems.
High-rise projects in Nairobi often encounter similar obstacles. Regulatory processes, funding and external shocks test even well-capitalised developers.
The 88 Tower aims for a multifunctional lifestyle. Jackson described international management offering hotel-like services for residents.
Target completion now points to the fourth quarter of 2026. Fit-out works continue as the project enters final stages.
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