Fresh efforts to end poster littering in Nairobi
By Alvin Mwangi, August 5, 2025Nairobi may soon see an end to random posters and adverts plastered on electricity poles and public walls, if a proposal by a city ward rep is adopted.
The lawmaker has called on the county government to fully implement a law passed in 2018 that regulates outdoor advertising and restores order in public spaces.
The motion, tabled by John Rex Omolleh (Nairobi West) on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, urges the county government to activate the 2018 Nairobi City County Outdoor Advertising and Signage Control and Regulation Act, which was approved by the county assembly but has never been enforced.
Omolleh also asked the county to develop proper regulations to support the law.
He noted that the uncontrolled posting of ads on public structures has become commonplace and continues to spoil the city’s appearance.
“I’m concerned that there are several advertisements and posters erected in various public places such as electricity poles, streetlight poles, public walls and buildings, which have not only affected the city’s aesthetics but have also failed to comply with the [2018 Act],” he told the assembly.
Duty neglected
Although the Constitution allows counties to regulate outdoor advertising and maintain cleanliness in public areas, Omolleh said City Hall has neglected this duty.
“I’m further concerned that the county assembly passed the … Act, which has not been published, publicised or operationalised to date,” the motion states.
If approved, the motion would direct the county attorney to publish the Act within two weeks and require the Urban Planning executive to establish regulations that prevent illegal adverts in Nairobi.
The motion specifically targets the use of public infrastructure for unauthorised advertising.
This includes electricity and streetlight poles, public buildings and other surfaces where posters for events, questionable services and promotions are often posted without oversight.