Property owners in Nairobi who have been anxious about unapproved developments now have a window of relief after Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration announced a six-month amnesty programme that allows them to register unauthorised buildings without facing penalties.
The Nairobi County Government on Friday announced the initiative as part of the new Nairobi Development Regulations, 2025 rules designed to streamline building compliance and confront the long-standing problem of structures put up without proper approvals.
According to the notice, the Nairobi City County Regularisation of Unauthorised Developments Regulations, 2025 provide “a one-time opportunity for developers, property owners, and occupiers to bring unauthorised developments into compliance, without penalties.”
The amnesty applies to a wide range of properties, including completed buildings and those still under construction, as long as they are not located in restricted or unsafe areas.
Applicants will be required to submit their documents either through the Nairobi Planning and Development Management System (NPDMS) or in person at county offices. The county noted that applicants may present whatever documentation they currently have, with planning officers expected to advise on any missing requirements.
“Applications must be submitted within six months of the date of this notice,” the county said.
Once an application is received, it will be assessed by county officials who will issue a conditional approval outlining the steps required for full compliance. Upon meeting all conditions, the property owner will be issued with a certificate of compliance, and the development will be formally captured in county records.
However, the amnesty does not cover all structures. Buildings put up on riparian reserves, public land, protected zones, or those considered unsafe will not qualify. The county also stated that any development in violation of existing court orders would be automatically excluded.
Additionally, all applications must be certified by registered professionals such as architects, planners, and engineers. The county warned that these professionals will be held accountable for false or negligent submissions.
The move is expected to bring thousands of buildings into the formal system while giving the county an updated record of developments across Nairobi.
