Nairobi Speaker Demands MCAs End Sakaja Team’s Impunity Over Illegal High-Rise Buildings

Nairobi County Speaker Demands Action on Illegal High-Rise Approvals by Sakaja Administration

Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Kennedy Ng’ondi has called on MCAs to take firm action against what he described as widespread impunity in Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration over the approval of illegal high-rise buildings. In a pointed address to the Assembly, Ng’ondi accused the county’s physical planning department of bypassing legal procedures and operating without sufficient oversight, resulting in a surge of unauthorized buildings that contravene the Physical Planning Act (Cap 286).

The Speaker criticized the lack of public participation in planning decisions, citing Section 19 of the Act, and expressed concern over the inefficiency of Assembly committees tasked with oversight. According to Ng’ondi, inspection reports are often inadequate or completely missing, allowing irregular developments to flourish.

These sentiments echo those of Deputy Minority Leader Waithera Chege and Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, who have consistently condemned the Sakaja administration for poor urban planning, unmanaged transport systems, and unchecked land grabs.

Further controversy surrounds the formation of the Urban Planning Technical Committee, allegedly created without Assembly approval. Nominated MCA Nasra Nanda revealed that this committee approved 131 out of 154 building plans during a private meeting led by Governor Sakaja, raising concerns about transparency and legality.

Ng’ondi’s remarks highlight a growing crisis in Nairobi’s urban development, with increasing demands for accountability, legal compliance, and respect for public input in shaping the city’s future.