Why majority of city buildings could be demolished soon

Majority of buildings in Nairobi’s residential estates risk being demolished after it emerged that they have not complied with the city’s zoning policy.

This emerged during an Urban Planning and Housing Committee session where officers from the Urban Housing Department were grilled over the influx of unapproved buildings in the capital.

The committee revealed that officers from the Planning Department had colluded with unscrupulous developers and put up buildings in total disregard of the zoning policy, which gave guidelines on how many floors a structure should have, and the maximum number of buildings allowed in a certain zone.

Committee chairman Anthony Kiragu said only 25 per cent of the city buildings had their plans approved by City Hall after adhering to the zoning policy.

Rogue developers

Mr Kiragu was concerned that rogue developers had put up unapproved buildings next to “sensitive” or secure establishments such as State House, airports, military barracks and embassies, which compromised their safety.

“In Kileleshwa, for instance, buildings are only allowed to go four storeys up. But we have since established that some buildings are going up eight storeys.”

Kiragu, who is the Waithaka MCA, noted that the unapproved structures were causing a strain on resources such as water and drainage systems, roads, lighting and security.

“It has even become a nightmare to plan for vital services such as garbage collection because the houses contravene the county’s zoning policy,” the chairman said.

Consequently, the committee will from today start going round the estates to establish which buildings violate zoning policies and recommend remedial action.

“We shall be giving recommendations on which buildings will be demolished. The committee is urging members of the public to help us identify such buildings,” Kiragu said.