The government is under pressure to demolish 41 buildings in Nairobi’s South C, Nairobi West, and Lang’ata estates after a survey found the structures encroach dangerously into protected airspace around Wilson Airport, raising alarm over flight safety.
The obstruction survey, conducted between October and November 2024, assessed 134 buildings within a six-kilometre radius of the airport. Of these, 41 were found to exceed maximum permissible height limits set by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), posing serious risks to aircraft during takeoff and landing.
The findings dominated a Senate Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation, and Housing sitting on Friday, June 26, where Aviation and Aerospace Development Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika disclosed that the government is exploring options beyond demolition — including rerouting flight paths over Nairobi National Park.
“What is the easier route to deal with the matter? Is it to bring down all the buildings which are on that flight path, or is it coming up with a plan that works for us? Because these people, maybe if you go to them, some of them have approvals by the different agencies which approve, including Nairobi County,” Mbaika told senators.
Among the most prominent structures flagged is a Parliamentary Service Commission building. The Centre for Parliamentary Studies stands at approximately 27 metres, well above the KCAA-approved maximum of 21 metres for that area. Other flagged buildings include the Local Authorities Provident Fund premises, Nairobi West Hospital, and the Equity Holding Limited complex.
The disclosure triggered sharp reactions from lawmakers, who accused the government of applying double standards. Senators noted that informal settlements had previously been demolished for far less significant planning violations.
“A few months ago, we dealt with demolitions in the city, some of them not very far away from Wilson Airport, of shanties along a riverbed. And those are people’s investments. But we brought them down. What message will we be sending to Kenyans? If your investment is Ksh 10,000 or Ksh 20,000 maximum, we will bring it down without even reference to you. But if there is a building that contravenes the same law, and you have put in a billion shillings, we can excuse you?” posed Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua.
Nominated Senator Peris Tobiko echoed the concern, questioning why aviation regulations appeared negotiable for commercial developers.
Under Kenyan law, any person intending to construct a building or tall structure near an airport must obtain clearance from the KCAA before construction begins. County government approvals alone do not override aviation safety requirements.
The government has indicated there is available land near the University of Nairobi that could support a runway reorientation, though such an option would direct aircraft over Nairobi National Park — itself a controversial trade-off.
Affected property owners now face compliance notices requiring removal of excess floors, though engineers warn that reducing the height of completed high-rises is often structurally impractical, making full demolition the more likely outcome. Legal battles from developers holding county-issued permits are expected to follow swiftly.
