Nairobi draft policy proposes 75-floor buildings in key areas

Nairobi's skyline could change under a proposed development policy that would allow buildings up to 75 floors in selected areas.

The draft policy, which is undergoing public participation, sets new height limits for different zones across the city.

 The Nairobi City County Development Control policy outlines that developers in Upper Hill, Uhuru Highway, Tom Mboya, Haile Selassie, and University Way could build up to 75 floors. Other areas have specific limits, with Riverside, Parklands, and Ngara West set at 20 floors, while Muthangari, Kileleshwa, and Kilimani are capped at 15 floors.

Umoja, Kayole, and Komarock have an eight-floor limit, while Mathare, Dandora, and Korogocho are restricted to five. Eastleigh, Kariokor, and Mlango Kubwa  can go up to 25 floors.

 Karen, Gigiri, Runda, Kitisuru, Nyari, Muthaiga and Roselyn remain classified under single-dwelling zoning, meaning only standalone residential units are permitted. In Eastlands, high-rise buildings will not be allowed in Jacaranda, Sosian Estate, Nasra Gardens, Harambee NCC, Rabai Road Estate, Utawala, Ruai, and Kamulu.

 Nairobi County has begun a three-day public participation process to gather input from residents, developers, contractors, and professional bodies.

 “Nairobi’s development policy has remained unchanged for close to two decades, leading to cases where buildings exceed proposed limits. However, already existing structures will not be affected,” said Nairobi County Chief Officer Patrick Analo.

 Each zone has a specific limit, and any approvals granted under previous guidelines will remain valid. Nairobi's current development control regulations were last reviewed in 2006 and were supposed to be revised in 2016 but remained unchanged.

 “As part of public participation, we have engaged architects, physical planners, and engineers who raised concerns about building height limits,” said Analo.

 In 2024, Kileleshwa residents wrote to the Ministry of Lands, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, among others, questioning how approvals for high-rise buildings were granted in residential areas.

 “We will consider all stakeholder views before finalising the policy,” said Alvin Olando, chair of the Nairobi Assembly Planning Committee.