Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has announced that all billboards at the corner of Ring Road Kileleshwa will be removed and that advertisers will need to reapply for spaces.

In a post shared on X on November 14, 2025, he cited concerns over visual clutter, noting that over 15 billboards are clustered within a 200-metre stretch.

He emphasised that Nairobi, which has close to 2,000 billboards, only earns advertising revenue from a small fraction of them, underscoring the need for regulation.

He warned that failure to comply would result in immediate removal, urging advertisers to adhere to proper procedures when applying for billboard spaces. The move has sparked discussions among residents and business owners about balancing revenue generation and urban planning in Nairobi.

“All the billboards at the corner of Ring Road Kileleshwa, will have to be brought down and spaces freshly applied for.”

Focus on Kileleshwa’s billboard build-up

Alai said the concentration of billboards along a short stretch of road had become both an aesthetic and safety concern. “We mustn’t have this kind of visual clutter with over 15 billboards in 200 metres range,” he wrote, calling for the immediate removal of the structures.

He further highlighted gaps in revenue collection within the sector. “Nairobi has close to 2,000 billboards. The outdoor advertising revenue is only realised from 20 per cent of the billboards. This sector is in a serious mess,” he stated, suggesting systemic weaknesses in oversight and enforcement.

Residents’ concerns

Alai linked the billboard issue to broader frustrations experienced by residents. On November 12, 2025, he shared a personal account illustrating the impact of unregulated installations.

“You go to sleep knowing that your old parent is always basking in the sun in the early morning. You wake up and find Sakaja’s gang has erected a huge billboard blocking the sun and your view,” he said.

He also claimed intimidation during confrontations involving billboard owners.

“The owner claims to be the nephew of a cabinet secretary and openly threatens residents with guns. You call the police and find that the crook is being helped in the inhuman scheme by OCS from a police station,” he wrote.

Demand for enforcement in designated zones

During a meeting with Nairobi County officials on November 12, 2025 Alai said he directed teams from Governor Johnson Sakaja’s administration to enforce planning regulations in Kileleshwa.

“I have told the team from Johnson Sakaja’s administration, led by Planning Chief Officer Patrick Analo and Assistant Director Dan Nasengo, to remove all billboards from Kileleshwa. The thuggery has to end. Billboard owners like Magnate, Sharks, ADsite, Live AD and Look Media have to operate within the law or find elsewhere to cause chaos,” he stated.

He noted that Kileleshwa, classified as an Area of Partial Control, requires stricter adherence to planning guidelines, citing issues related to spacing, height and setbacks. Alai also claimed that rogue officers were using official DCI vehicles, supported by local OCS units, to facilitate installations without county approval.