Nairobi County has initiated a six-week operation to dismantle unauthorized billboards and outdoor advertising structures, revealing that unapproved signage costs the city at least Sh15 million monthly. The campaign, led by the Lands and Urban Planning department, targets non-compliant advertisers who evade fees through illicit arrangements.
The city currently hosts over 200,000 signage units and 1,000 large-format advertisements, generating only Sh700 million annually for the county despite a potential revenue of Sh2 billion. Charles Kerich, Nairobi County Lands and Urban Planning Executive, stated that 85% of the 48 outdoor advertising companies operate outside the Nairobi City County Outdoor Advertising Act, 2018.
Non-compliant operators have resorted to bypassing official channels by negotiating directly with landowners, leading to chaotic signage along major roads including Thika Superhighway, Waiyaki Way, and Ngong Road. Kerich emphasized that unauthorized installations violate regulations requiring approval before erection, warning that excessive billboards without corresponding clients must be removed.
Advertizers now face new compliance measures, including monthly declarations of all structures and occupancy schedules by the 10th of each month. Failure to comply risks accusations of tax evasion, as advertisers owe Sh227 million in unpaid fees from October 2018 to February 2019. Outdoor advertising remains the county's fifth-largest revenue source, according to the Outdoor Advertisers Association.
