NAIROBI, Kenya, June 26 – The Court of Appeal has set July 7 to hear a contempt application accusing Nairobi City County of failing to comply with court orders requiring reforms in urban planning and development approvals.
The application, filed by the Kileleshwa Ward Neighbourhood Association (KIWANA) and Metro Alliance under Civil Appeal (Application) No. E160 of 2025, alleges that the county government and the County Executive Committee Member for Built Environment and Urban Planning failed to implement a court-directed framework for regulating developments.
The appellate court certified the matter as urgent and directed that it be heard by a three-judge bench through virtual proceedings.
Parties have also been instructed to file written submissions, each limited to three pages.
The dispute stems from an earlier Structural Interdict issued by the Court of Appeal directing Nairobi County to halt irregular planning approvals and prepare a Local Physical and Land Use Development Plan in line with the Physical and Land Use Planning Act.
According to the petitioners, the county failed to meet deadlines that expired in March 2026, prompting the filing of contempt proceedings in April.
Court documents show that Nairobi County has since applied for a six-month extension to comply with the orders.
The application is supported by an affidavit sworn by the County Chief Officer for Urban Planning, Patrick Analo Akivaga.
The case comes as Akivaga faces investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over alleged unexplained wealth. No court has found him guilty of any wrongdoing, and the investigations are ongoing.
The residents’ groups argue that failure to enforce planning laws has encouraged irregular developments, with some buildings allegedly exceeding approved zoning limits.
They also contend that poor planning has contributed to environmental challenges, including flooding in parts of the city.
