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Tag: Nairobi City County

  • Nairobi County says collapsed Shauri Moyo building was earmarked for demolition

    Nairobi County says collapsed Shauri Moyo building was earmarked for demolition

    Nairobi City County has said the building that collapsed in Shauri Moyo, killing four people, had been earmarked for demolition under the ongoing Nairobi River regeneration programme.

    In a statement, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja indicated the building was located along the Nairobi River riparian corridor and had been identified for removal as part of efforts to reclaim encroached riverbanks.

    “The collapsed structure was among those located along the Nairobi River riparian corridor earmarked for removal under the ongoing Nairobi River Regeneration Programme,” Sakaja stated.

    According to the county government, preliminary findings show that the four victims were salvaging steel and other materials from the abandoned building when it caved in.

    Four other victims were rescued alive, with two taken to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment, while two were attended to at the scene.

    Governor Sakaja has urged residents living along riparian reserves to relocate from high-risk zones, citing rising river levels following recent heavy rains.

    “Nairobi City County, through the Department of Urban Development and Planning, continues to caution residents living along riparian areas and riverbanks to take immediate safety precautions and voluntarily relocate from these high-risk zones, especially following the recent heavy rains that have significantly raised water levels in several rivers across the city,” he said.

  • Nairobi remains under county leadership, Ruto assures

    Nairobi remains under county leadership, Ruto assures

    A day after the Nairobi City County and the National Government signed a Ksh80 billion cooperation agreement, President William Ruto has assured residents that the county remains under the leadership of Governor Johnson Sakaja.

    Speaking in the Lucky Summer area of Ruaraka sub-county while inspecting ongoing development projects, Ruto said the pact is meant to support development project in Nairobi and not take over of county functions.

    “Nairobi haijakuwa handed over. Mimi niko na kazi ya kutosha ya kufanya kitaifa. Ile tumefanya ni ushirikiano, ili tuweze kujenga city yetu. Mimi kazi yangu ni kusaidia kuhakikisha Nairobi inaendelea,” he said.

    Ruto noted that the partnership aims to develop Nairobi into a modern, functional city that is livable, secure, orderly, and environmentally responsible.

    He said initiatives like the Nairobi River Regeneration and Engineering Works Programme are reshaping the city’s future by strengthening resilience, enhancing competitiveness, and positioning Nairobi as a globally respected capital.

    Ruto urged leaders and residents to focus on service delivery rather than political noise, saying the time for politics will come later.

    He said his administration is focused on delivering on its promises with a track record that sets them apart from his political rivals.

    “We have a track record for what we have done. We can account for our present and we have a plan and an agenda for the future. Our competitors neither have a track record for anything they have done before,” said Ruto.

    The President was accompanied by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Governor Sakaja, nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda, Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri, Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris, and other leaders.

  • Nairobi County launches air quality monitoring network to curb pollution

    Nairobi County launches air quality monitoring network to curb pollution

    The Nairobi City County Government has launched an air quality monitoring network to track pollution and safeguard public health.

    The 50 air quality sensors, deployed under the “Breathe Nairobi” program, will provide real-time data on pollution levels across the capital to help the county government identify pollution hotspots.

    Speaking during the flag-off ceremony at City Hall on Wednesday, Nairobi County Executive Committee Member for Green Nairobi, Maureen Njeri, said the sensors will also detect potential leaks from industrial activities and identify high-risk zones where residents are most vulnerable to the adverse effects of poor air quality.

    “This program is about equipping our city with the power of knowledge, the precise, real-time knowledge we need to safeguard the health of every single resident and to meticulously shape a truly sustainable future for generations to come,” she stated.

    She added that the project includes machine learning-enabled calibration tools to ensure data accuracy.

    County officers are currently undergoing training to manage and interpret the data, which will inform enforcement and policy decisions.

    The program, supported by the Clean Air Fund, C40 Cities, and Bloomberg Philanthropies, is part of the county’s broader strategy to combat urban air pollution.

    The data collected will feed into a soon-to-be-launched public portal, giving residents live access to air quality information in their neighbourhoods.

    According to a 2024 report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), an estimated 268 deaths in Nairobi each year are linked to air pollution.

    Additionally, 10% of the city’s health budget is currently allocated to treating illnesses caused by poor air quality, a figure county officials say underscores the urgent need for air quality management.

  • Nairobi County Govt denies reports of ordering closure of Naivas Supermarket

    Nairobi County Govt denies reports of ordering closure of Naivas Supermarket

    The Nairobi City County Government has refuted claims that it ordered the closure of Naivas Supermarket over allegations of selling expired products.

    In a statement on Wednesday, Chief Officer for Public Health Tom Nyakaba said the Executive did not order the closure of the supermarket contrary to assertions made during a press conference by the County Assembly Health Committee.

    Nyakaba clarified that while the Assembly’s Health Committee recommended the closure following an oversight visit to Naivas Supermarket (Moi Avenue branch) on May 13, no such directive was issued by the Executive.

    He further noted that a subsequent independent assessment by the Director of Environmental Health, Anthony Muthemba, concluded that the issues raised during the committee’s inspection did not meet the legal threshold for immediate closure.

    “The Director of Environmental Health, Mr. Anthony Muthemba conducted an independent follow-up assessment of the premises and concluded that the issues identified did not meet the legal threshold for immediate closure, as outlined in the Food, Drugs and Chemical SubstancesAct, Cap 254,” said Nyakaba

    “Based on the Director of Environment’s report and technical guidance, theNairobi County Executive determined that the premises should remain operational while the necessary documentation and compliance matters are reviewed administratively,” he added.

    Nyakaba reiterated that any suspension or closure of food establishments must follow due process and be based strictly on legal and technical standards, a mandate that falls under the County Executive.

    He reaffirmed the county’s commitment to food safety and public health, stating that its enforcement approach remains evidence-based and anchored in law.

    In a separate statement, Naivas termed the allegations false, misleading, and harmful, stating that no expired products were found on its shelves.

    “We would like to reassure our customers, partners, and the general public that no expired products have been found on our shelves, and we maintain stringent internal quality control and stock management systems across all our branches to ensure product safety and compliance with health regulations.”

    The retailer added that none of its branches have been closed by any regulatory or health authority and confirmed that all stores remain fully operational and in compliance with standards set by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Ministry of Health, and other relevant bodies.

    “The circulating claims are entirely false, misleading, and potentially harmful, not just to our brand but to our valued customers who rely on us for daily essentials.”

    Naivas further indicated that it is seeking legal advice on possible action against individuals or organisations spreading misinformation.

    The retailer also reiterated its strict anti-bribery and anti-corruption stance, stating it will not submit to extortionary tactics.

  • Governor Sakaja puts land grabbers on notice

    Governor Sakaja puts land grabbers on notice

    Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has issued a stern warning to land grabbers in Nairobi.

    Sakaja announced that the County has reclaimed over 700 pieces of land so far, with many more targeted for recovery.

    The Governor spoke on Friday after a joint effort with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), to reclaim a five-acre piece of land in Karen meant for sewer treatment that was illegally grabbed and subdivided.

    Sakaja revealed that land rates defaulters owe the County nearly a trillion shillings.

    He said that the County has issued notices to the defaulters, warning that their properties will be auctioned if they fail to settle their dues.

    “We have published land rate defaulters in all newspapers. The amount owed to the city is almost amounting to a Trillion. The burden of payment is on a few people and we are going to start taking action soon,” he warned.

    Sakaja commended the EACC for working with the County government to recover grabbed parcels of land in the city.

    “We want to put land grabbers on notice. What belongs to the people of Nairobi shall remain for the people of Nairobi. We have the land records and paper trail from 1901 when Nairobi city started as a council therefore, we will catch up with you,” said Sakaja.

    Among the reclaimed properties is Mutuini Market, where a new market and bus terminal are being constructed.

    The 244-million-shilling market is expected to be completed by August, thanks to the community’s efforts in championing the land’s recovery.