Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has warned private developers and government agencies against cutting trees without approval from the county government.
Speaking to the media on July 27, Sakaja said institutions involved in infrastructure projects, including the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and Kenya Power, must comply with environmental regulations before undertaking activities that affect Nairobi’s tree cover.
The governor said some trees being removed had existed for decades and argued that alternative solutions should be considered where possible, instead of destroying mature vegetation for infrastructure works.
Sakaja Questions Tree Cutting by Agencies Across Nairobi
Sakaja said he convened a meeting with road agencies after observing increased destruction of trees in different parts of the city. He said the cutting of trees without authorization was against the law, regardless of whether the activity was being carried out by private individuals or government institutions.
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He pointed out that some of the affected areas included locations around State House and other parts of Nairobi where road construction and utility works have taken place.
According to the governor, development projects by national government agencies must also follow county approval processes, just like private developments. He said the county has a role in ensuring that projects are implemented while protecting the environment.
“I’ve called a meeting for road agencies is that I have seen a lot of destruction of trees and it is illegal. No agency, no individual, is allowed to cut down a tree without permission from the county government. That is a law, that’s a constitution. We’ve seen trees being cut down around state house, we’ve seen trees, and that is by KURA and KeNHA, we’ve seen trees being cut down you know across the city, even Kenya Power, they’ve been doing it because of their lines ,” Sakaja said.
He noted that trees play a long-term environmental role and cannot easily be replaced once removed.
The governor argued that some infrastructure challenges can be addressed through adjustments rather than cutting down mature trees.
State Agencies Put on Notice Over Tree Removal
Sakaja raised concerns over tree cutting linked to electricity infrastructure, saying some trees had been removed to create space for power lines.
He questioned why power infrastructure could not be redesigned or relocated where necessary, instead of removing trees that had taken many years to grow.
The county head said some trees in Nairobi are between 50 and 100 years old and represent an important part of the city’s environmental heritage.
He cited previous cases on Uhuru Highway in Westlands, where a project relocated instead of cutting down trees.
“A power line can be relocated, that tree took decades to grow. There are trees that are 50 to 100 years old but they’re being cut because of one power line that you can relocate or that you can put underground,” he said.
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Agencies Required to Restore Lost Tree Cover
Sakaja warned officers found responsible for unauthorized tree cutting will face legal action in accordance with the environmental laws.
He also said that those involved would be required to restore the damage caused by planting more trees than those removed. Restoration would be part of measures aimed at recovering Nairobi’s lost green spaces and ensuring that development does not come at the expense of the environment.
“And so we want to caution them, we will arrest their you know their officers if they continue to do that but for what the destruction that has been done you know a penalty must be put because they must restore you know and they must plant a multiple of what they’ve cut because it is it is really really going against the law. You cannot cut on a tree without a written notification and permission issued by the director of environment,” added Sakaja.
The governor also emphasized that development approvals should involve county planning committees, including projects initiated by national government agencies.
He said the requirement was part of discussions between county and national governments aimed at improving coordination in project implementation.
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Mature trees provide long-term environmental benefits, and finding sustainable solutions that balance infrastructure needs with conservation is essential for the city’s future. Thanks for highlighting this important issue.