Governor Kinyanjui wants all buildings painted

Property owners in Nakuru town's central business district have three months to repaint their buildings either white, blue or pink.

This is according to urban enforcement directive issued by Governor Lee Kinyanjui's administration through the newly formed Nakuru Municipal Board.

The property owners will also be required to improve and beautify pedestrian walkways along their building to facilitate safe and free movement.

The board, appointed four months ago, is spearheading plans to elevate the town to a city status.

“Pursuant to County Governments Act 2012, National Building Maintenance Policy and the Building Code, building owners are required to paint their premises,” the notice read in part.

While the Nakuru Business Association has lauded the administration on other recommendations in the notice, the choice of colours has not augured well with the traders.

“It was not fair for the county government to make a unilateral decision on what colours should be used. Colours that one chooses depends on the type of goods and services they offer,” said Mwangi Muchemi, the association chairman.

Mr Muchemi added that the cost implication will be high for most building owners and this might see some move to court to have the decision reversed.

The Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Nakuru branch chair Stephen Thuo said the move was welcome, but should have been reached after consultations.

“It is not wrong to have all buildings painted similar colours. However, the county should have involved the stakeholders,” said Mr Thuo.

Mombasa City County last year found itself in a legal battle following a similar directive. They had ordered all buildings to be repainted blue and white.