“Nairobi Must Shine”: City Hall Starts Citywide Building Repainting Inspections Monday, November 10

Nairobi is set for a visible transformation as City Hall begins citywide inspections on Monday, November 10, to enforce its building repainting directive. Property owners who ignored the 14-day notice to refurbish old and fading structures now face possible penalties, including closure or prosecution. While many have acted promptly, several buildings in major commercial areas remain non-compliant, prompting urgent action.

Health and Nutrition CECM Suzanne Silantoi confirmed that her department will lead the inspections. “From Monday, our officers will start checking all properties. Many complied, but several are still behind,” she said. The directive applies to property owners, tenants and management agents across key zones including the CBD, Westlands, Upper Hill, Ngara, Kirinyaga Road and major shopping centers.

City Hall aims to restore Nairobi’s appearance and ensure the capital reflects a clean, modern, and vibrant urban environment. Silantoi emphasized, “This is our city and its appearance must reflect that.” To ease compliance, Governor Johnson Sakaja waived all repainting permit fees, lowering costs for building owners amid economic challenges.

Several properties, including the I&M Building, have already repainted, but others remain neglected, some untouched since construction. The inspections will identify these buildings and enforce corrective action. The exercise highlights the county’s determination to revive Nairobi’s skyline and reinforce its identity as a forward-looking African capital.

The directive has sparked mixed reactions. While some property owners acted quickly, the Landlords and Tenants Association of Kenya argued that repainting should not be the priority. They said the county should focus first on infrastructure, sanitation and road improvements before cosmetic work.

As Nairobians prepare for Monday’s inspections, the city braces for a visible transformation. The repainting drive reinforces City Hall’s commitment to public health, urban maintenance and aesthetic appeal. With this initiative, Nairobi is taking a significant step toward becoming a cleaner, more organized and visually striking capital that residents and visitors can be proud of.