Sakaja proposes tougher penalties and county prosecution powers to curb unsafe buildings in Nairobi
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Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has asked the Senate to consider two legislative reforms on building safety: tougher penalties for developers who breach approved plans and greater powers for county officers to prosecute construction offences.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has proposed two legislative reforms aimed at addressing unsafe buildings in the capital. He made the proposals on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, when he appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing to discuss the regulation of developments in Nairobi.
“Today, I appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing to discuss the regulation of developments in Nairobi. I called on the Senate to consider two key legislative interventions to strengthen building safety and developer accountability,” he wrote.
The first proposal seeks to increase penalties for developers who disregard approved building plans and construction regulations. Sakaja argued that existing fines may not be sufficient to discourage violations, particularly where developers are undertaking projects worth billions of shillings. Under the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019, the maximum fine for commencing development without permission is Ksh500,000, alongside possible imprisonment.
“For projects worth billions of shillings, such penalties may not be a sufficient deterrent,” he said. The second proposed reform focuses on strengthening the enforcement capacity of county governments by reviewing the legal framework governing the prosecution of construction-related offences, so that appropriately authorised county officers can play a greater role in prosecuting such cases.
Sakaja said Nairobi County requires developers to sign indemnity forms affirming their responsibility for construction quality and compliance with approved standards, but some still depart from approved plans once construction begins, creating risks for residents and property owners.
“Developers must be held accountable, and penalties must be strong enough to deter violations. I have urged the Senate to consider these legislative reforms because building safety is not negotiable. Our priority is to protect Nairobi residents and ensure that every development complies with the required standards,” he said.