Nairobi county proposes new heights for city buildings

A view of the Upper Hill skyline. [File, Standard]

The Nairobi skyline could soon change if a proposal by Nairobi County is considered.

Under the Nairobi City County Development Control policy that is currently under public participation, the county will allow developers to go up to 75 floors.

Such areas include Upper Hill, Uhuru Highway, Tom Mboya, Haile Selassie, and University Way.

The number of floors in Riverside, Parklands and Ngara West will be 20, while in Muthangari, Kileleshwa and Kilimani they will be set at 15.

According to the draft, buildings in Umoja, Kayole and Komarock will be allowed to go up to eight levels, while Mathare, Dandora and Korogocho areas will have five floors.

In Kariokor, Mlango Kubwa and Eastleigh, commercial and residential houses will not go up beyond 25 storeys.

Karen, Gigiri, Runda, Kitisuru, Nyari, Muthaiga and Rosyln Estate, areas considered to be home to the rich, have been classified under single dwellings.

This means a building with one or more rooms designed for residential living purposes by one household that is disconnected from any other unit.

In Eastlands, the areas where high-rise buildings will not be allowed include Jacaranda, Sosian Estate, Nasra Gardens, Harambee NCC, Rabai Road Estate, Utawala, Ruai and Kamulu areas.

A three-day public participation for residents, developers, contractors and professional bodies to give their views is underway.

According to Chief Officer Patrick Analo, the development policy has never been reviewed for close to two decades.