This archive report was first published on 18 July 2019.
On July 18, 2019, Nairobi County issued a notice to property owners within the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) to repaint and redecorate their premises within two weeks or face legal action.
Acting County Secretary Leboo Morintat stated that after the expiry of the 14-day notice period, unspecified legal measures would be instituted to ensure compliance with the notice.
This is the third time this year that a similar order has been issued, indicating a poor success rate in enforcing previous directives.
A tour of the CBD reveals a hodgepodge of colours, making it difficult to determine the original colours of the buildings.
The situation has been exacerbated by graffiti and posters that remain in place long after the intended campaigns are over, despite 'No Posters' warnings by property owners.
The notice is anchored in law, including county by-laws and the Public Health Cap 242 on maintaining healthy and quality standards of general public health.
Mr. Morintat explained that the move to clean, repaint, or redecorate is aimed at improving the beauty of the capital city, enhancing its appeal as a globally recognized dynamic, innovative, and resilient city, and strategic economic and commercial hub of East and Central Africa.
"It is hereby notified to all property owners in the Nairobi CBD that they should clean, repaint or redecorate their buildings as required by law," said Mr. Morintat in a newspaper notice.
The notice also gave a blanket approval to property owners to improve plot frontages along Uhuru Highway, Nairobi River, Ring Road Pumwani, and Haile Selassie Avenue.
