Parklands residents have obtained court orders extending a block on Nairobi County Government processing any high-rise construction permits in the estate.
Concerned by upcoming high-rise buildings for residential and commercial use, the Parklands Residents Association had moved to court arguing that construction projects were being undertaken in breach of city building regulations.
The association noted that the development of high-rises has destroyed roads, streets and lanes in the area, causing unnecessary traffic jams and flooding whenever skies open.
“The constructions continue to interfere with water supply and sewer disposal systems in the area,” said their lawyer Alfred Ndambiri.
By the time of moving to court, the association said there were development plans on 64 plots while more than 20 others were constructed in contravention of the Physical and Land Use Planning (Development Permission and Control (General) Regulations, 2021.
While extending orders barring city approvals, Environment and Land Court judge Anne Omollo has also forwarded the file to Chief Justice Martha Koome for appointment of a three-judge bench to determine the matter.
Land grabbing and demolishing old residential houses
A construction site in Parklands, Nairobi, where a section of it collapsed in February 2025, killing one person.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
Parklands residents argue that the area has been subjected to “urbanisation’ in the name of development.
This, they say, has been drastic rather than gradual. Additionally, they argue, this has been used to justify demolition of built heritage in favour of new development.
“Urbanisation through built environment has, unfortunately, failed to balance conservation of the existing built heritage...a fact associated and blamed on the 1st to 6th Respondents (County Government) who have knowingly and deliberately failed and refused to perform their statutory duties,” their lawyer submitted.
They also accuse new developers of demolishing decades’ old residential houses in the area, cutting and felling trees and other flora, including trees at City Park Forest and along the riparian of the rivers in the area.
The association says residents have seen buildings come up in areas that previously had no high-rises, including Parklands Road, Ojijo Road, Prof Wangari Mathai Road, part of Murang’a Road, the edges of Mathare River past Limuru Road and on the edges of Gitathuru River.
The construction of a high-rise apartment block along City Park Road, Parklands, is pictured on October 2, 2021. The construction was accused of flouting a number of city bylaws.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
They argue that Parklands' infrastructure, including water supply, sewer disposal, storm water drainage, roads, transport and social amenities, were not designed to accommodate a “develop-to-suit” format.
The residents also say Parklands' housing and architectural heritage has a very strong religious influence, citing temples, mosques and churches.
They also claim that several parts of public land in the estate have been grabbed, or are targeted for grabbing to develop high-rise buildings.
