Alai raises alarm over Nairobi development approvals and public participation gaps

Kileleshwa Ward MCA Robert Alai has raised concerns over Nairobi’s development approval process, questioning public participation practices in high-rise projects.

Speaking during a Radio Generation interview on Monday, he cited alleged irregular meetings, weak resident involvement, and possible administrative bias in approvals.

Alai warned that rushed developments in areas like Kilimani and Westlands risk undermining sustainable urban planning and infrastructure capacity.

The MCA highlighted the growing tensions between residents, developers, and administrative authorities in Nairobi’s fast-expanding neighbourhoods.

The MCA, who has been vocal about alleged irregular approvals of buildings and manipulation of consultation processes, maintains that public participation is being undermined and that residents are often excluded from meaningful input.

He pointed to a specific development case involving a plot located at the junction of David Osieli and Woodfield Westlands Avenue, which he said had become a source of concern among nearby residents.

He described the history of the land, saying it was previously owned by the French Embassy before being sold less than a year ago. According to him, the property changed hands again shortly after the initial sale.

“The plot was previously owned by the French Embassy, and it was sold less than one year ago,” he noted.

He further alleged rapid speculative resale activity, claiming that the property was sold at significant profit within months before being acquired by a developer from the Chinese community.

The Kileleshwa MCA added that residents had raised objections to the scale of the development, arguing that the available documentation and consultation notices were insufficient.

According to him, notices indicated plans for a 20-floor structure with three basement levels and 400 apartments, which residents felt was excessive for the site.

Remarks made by Alai come shortly amid Nairobi County facing persistent scrutiny over development approvals, with planning experts estimating that building permit processing takes between 3 months and 2 years, depending on project complexity, often contributing to delays and disputes in high-density areas such as Kilimani, Westlands, and Kileleshwa.

In 2016 alone, the county approved 2,303 planning permits worth over Sh117.9 billion in development value, reflecting a rapidly expanding urban construction sector.

Key approved zones included Kilimani, Karen, Westlands, and Industrial Area, where high-rise apartments and mixed-use developments dominate.

Government agencies, including Nairobi City County, NEMA, and the National Construction Authority, have insisted that all projects must undergo Environmental Impact Assessments and planning approvals before construction begins, with digitalisation of applications through the county e-permit system now underway.

County officials have also pledged tighter enforcement following public complaints over overcrowding and weak public participation.

Recent approvals include major residential towers in Kileleshwa, Upper Hill and Westlands, many involving high-density apartments, fueling debate over zoning compliance and infrastructure strain in the capital.

Alai also criticised the handling of public participation meetings, alleging that some are poorly attended and poorly timed, limiting meaningful engagement.

He claimed that residents had requested postponement of a meeting due to transport disruptions but were ignored.

“You cannot come and bring a public participation event on a day when the whole transport system of the country has collapsed,” he noted, reaffirming the recent fuel hike protests earlier last week.

The MCA also questioned the role of local administrators, including assistant chiefs and other officials, suggesting that their involvement in consultations had raised concerns among residents.

Alai further alleged that some public participation exercises may be compromised, suggesting that attendance lists could include individuals not from affected areas.

The MCA claimed that such practices undermine the credibility of Environmental Impact Assessments and public consultation processes, which are required under Kenyan law.

He also referenced concerns around the EIA process, insisting that it must be properly supervised by relevant authorities.

“This whole process has to be supervised by National Environment Management Authority, NEMA,” he highlighted.

Alai argued that public participation meetings should be conducted on neutral grounds rather than at development sites, to ensure fairness and transparency.

“You are not supposed to hold the meeting on the plot, because the development is a concern,” he said.

He criticised urban planning challenges in Nairobi, warning that rapid development is placing pressure on infrastructure in areas such as Kilimani, Parklands, Westlands, and Dagoretti.

He stated residents in these zones were already experiencing challenges such as power rationing and inadequate infrastructure.

Alai also cited concerns about resistance to infrastructure projects, including electricity substations, which he said had been opposed by residents in some cases.

He concluded by warning that failure to address planning and public participation issues could undermine Nairobi’s long-term sustainability, particularly in high-density urban zones experiencing rapid construction growth.