Nairobi is on the verge of a skyline transformation as the county government considers a new zoning policy that would allow buildings to rise as high as 75 floors in key commercial areas. The proposed policy, currently under public review, aims to modernize the city while maintaining residential neighborhood integrity.
Speaking at a three-day public participation forum, Nairobi’s Chief Officer for Urban Planning, Patrick Analo, highlighted the urgency of updating the city’s zoning regulations. The capital’s population is growing at a rate of 4% per year, creating immense pressure on real estate to provide sustainable housing and commercial developments. To address this, the proposed policy will permit high-rise buildings in areas such as Upper Hill, Uhuru Highway, Tom Mboya Street, Haile Selassie Avenue, and University Way.
The plan sets specific height restrictions based on location. Riverside, Parklands, and Ngara West will have a 20-floor limit, while Muthangari, Kileleshwa, and Kilimani will be capped at 15 floors. Residential zones such as Umoja, Kayole, and Komarock will allow buildings up to eight stories, whereas Mathare, Dandora, and Korogocho will be limited to five floors. In Kariokor, Mlango Kubwa, and Eastleigh, mixed-use developments can rise to 25 stories.
Governor Johnson Sakaja reaffirmed that high-end neighborhoods, including Karen, Gigiri, Runda, Kitisuru, Nyari, Muthaiga, and Rosslyn Estate, will retain their low-density, single-dwelling designation to preserve their exclusivity. Additionally, Eastlands estates such as Jacaranda, Sosian Estate, Nasra Gardens, Harambee NCC, Rabai Road Estate, Utawala, Ruai, and Kamulu will not permit high-rise buildings.
Sakaja emphasized the importance of the public participation forum, which seeks input from architects, urban planners, developers, and residents. He pointed out that Nairobi currently accommodates over seven million people during the day, with projections indicating a surge to 10 million in the coming years. Proper planning is essential to manage this growth effectively.
The last zoning policy update was in 2006, making this revision long overdue. If approved, the new policy will redefine Nairobi’s skyline, aligning it with major global cities that feature towering skyscrapers. At the same time, it aims to balance urban expansion with community needs, ensuring sustainable growth while maintaining Nairobi’s unique character.
As discussions continue, stakeholders remain keen on how the policy will shape the future of Nairobi, turning it into a modern, well-planned metropolis that meets the demands of its growing population.
