Developers urge action to end extortion at Nairobi construction sites

Nairobi County Chief Officer Patrick Analo. [Standard, File]

Developers and investors in Nairobi are calling for urgent intervention from the County Government to address escalating extortion and harassment at excavation and construction sites.

 The situation, they argue is undermining the growth of the sector.

The developers are also pressing the National Construction Authority (NCA) and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to enforce compliance with approved building plans.

Bribery and harassment at construction sites have become rampant, adding unnecessary financial strain to their projects.

Chief Officer Patrick Analo warned that the ongoing issues were eroding investor confidence.

He said developers are being targeted by individuals seeking bribes at various stages of construction, a situation he said that demands immediate action.

“Harassment at construction sites is becoming a serious issue. It is undermining investor confidence and threatening the growth of the sector,” Analo said.

He called for a coordinated effort between the County Government, NCA and NEMA to ensure that construction projects comply with approved plans and developers are protected from exploitation.

The call for intervention comes months after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja lifted an order that had suspended the processing of new building plan approvals and excavations within the city.

The suspension, imposed on April 29, had been intended to address concerns over heavy rainfall and ensure that all approved sites from the previous 24 months complied with building regulations.

"The ban on excavations of new construction sites has also been lifted forthwith. The suspension of approval requirements and exemption of fee payments on flood-related repairs and renovations has also been lifted," Sakaja said in a statement to newsrooms.

Sakaja has also reconstituted the Urban Technical Committee (UPTC), calling for new representation from stakeholders, including architects, urban planners, environmentalists, and engineers' bodies.

The reformation of the committee aims to strengthen oversight and address challenges facing the construction industry in the city.