NEMA Invites Public Comment on Three High-rise Developments Planned for Nairobi and Mombasa

Kenya’s environmental regulator has invited the public to comment on three proposed high-rise developments in Nairobi and Mombasa, including large residential and mixed-use towers planned for Kileleshwa, Kilimani and Nyali.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) published Gazette notices calling for submissions within 30 days as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process required under the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act. The law requires public participation before approval can be granted for major developments.

In Kileleshwa, developers are seeking approval to build a 24-storey residential tower on Gatundu Road. The project includes three basement parking levels and a mezzanine floor with leisure and commercial facilities. The development would contain 448 apartments, including one-, two- and three-bedroom units.

In nearby Kilimani, another proposal involves a 23-storey mixed-use complex at the junction of Chania Avenue and Ring Road. The project would include 483 serviced apartments, office space, retail outlets and several basement parking levels. The residential section would consist of 414 one-bedroom and 69 two-bedroom apartments.

In Nyali, Mombasa, developers plan to construct a 13-storey residential complex with 208 apartments. The proposal also includes rooftop leisure facilities, swimming pools and a beach club.

NEMA identified several environmental concerns linked to the projects, including soil erosion, loss of vegetation, noise and air pollution during construction, increased demand for water, higher waste production and traffic congestion. The projects come amid wider concerns about safety standards in Kenya’s construction sector. 

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya recently warned that about three-quarters of buildings across the country are structurally unsafe. Hydrogeologists have also raised concerns about the effects of extensive borehole drilling in Nairobi, saying it may weaken ground stability and contribute to building collapses.

UNESCO hydrogeologist Dr Florence Jerotich Tanui has previously warned that uncontrolled groundwater extraction could affect soil conditions in some parts of the capital. In response to such concerns, NEMA’s notices place particular emphasis on soil stability assessments and ground surveys before construction begins.