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19 landlords in CBD face prosecution over failure to repaint buildings
An aerial view of downtown Nairobi.
The owners of 19 buildings in Nairobi Central Business District have not complied with the directive that was issued by the county government to have all buildings repainted afresh and now risk prosecution.
Nairobi County Executive Committee member for Health Suzanne Silantoi on Monday revealed that the target building owners, mostly in downtown Nairobi, including Kirinyaga Road, have not shown interest in following the law.
“We cannot name these buildings for now but the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has already approved 19 statements for prosecution. We will reveal the names once the files are officially out,” Ms Silantoi said when she toured the CBD.
The county issued a total of 158 notices to specific buildings asking them to comply with the orders of repainting, out of which only 41 adhered to while another 28 cases are under review.
The CEC said that while the 14-day ultimatum expired a week ago, the county is continuing to negotiate with some owners who plan to repaint, while taking action against those who are defiant.
She announced that the landlord of the Easy Coach building has been arrested and is expected to be arraigned.
“We have given ample notice and adequate time for property owners to act. Those who continue to ignore the directive will face penalties, closure, or prosecution under the Public Health Act.”
As the county intensified its crackdown, 31 building owners are also facing possible prosecution for non-compliance. The county has inspected 101 buildings and confirmed that 34 buildings were being repainted.
The CEC stated that the directive, which is anchored in the Public Health Act (Cap 242) and the Physical and Land Use Planning Act (2019), requires property owners to maintain their premises in a clean and habitable condition.
“This is not just about inspection; it’s about public health. Some of these buildings have not been painted for decades, while others pose serious health hazards. This is the capital city, we must keep it clean and safe.”
During the operation, Public Health Chief Officer Tom Nyakaba said that the crackdown will continue in phases and warned that more arrests and prosecutions are expected.
“Apart from public health concerns, we are also assessing the architectural safety of these buildings. If we find any that are structurally unsafe, we issue immediate vacation notices. We urge residents and landlords to comply before the law catches up with them,” Mr Nyakaba said.
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