‘They Must Restore!’ Sakaja Threatens Arrests Over Nairobi Tree-Cutting as Developers Put on Notice
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has issued a stern warning to private developers and state agencies cutting down trees in the capital, saying those responsible could face arrest, penalties and orders to restore the lost tree cover.
Governor Johnson Sakaja has warned that officials and developers who continue cutting down mature trees in Nairobi without the necessary approvals could face arrest, as the county government moves to tighten scrutiny of infrastructure projects affecting the city’s green spaces.
Sakaja said some of the trees being destroyed are decades old, with some believed to be about a century old, and argued that their removal cannot simply be justified by the need to install roads, power lines or other infrastructure.
The governor particularly criticised projects where infrastructure could, in his view, be redesigned, relocated or placed underground to avoid destroying mature trees.
“There are trees that are 100 years old but they are being cut because of one power line that you can relocate or put underground. So we want to caution them, we will arrest their officers if they continue to do that,” Sakaja said.
His warning places both private developers and government agencies on notice as Nairobi continues to undergo rapid expansion and major infrastructure development.
‘They must restore’
Sakaja said the county would seek accountability for trees removed during construction and development works, insisting that replacing the lost vegetation should not be treated as an optional gesture.
He argued that those responsible should bear the cost of restoration and should plant more trees than they removed.
“For destruction that has been done, a penalty must be put because they must restore and they must plant a multiple of what they have cut because it’s really going against the law,” he said.
The governor also insisted that tree removal should not take place without the required written notification and approvals.
Kenya’s forestry regulations already provide mechanisms for licensing and regulating tree harvesting, while the Forest Conservation and Management Act provides a legal framework for the protection and sustainable management of forest resources. The law also provides for penalties relating to prohibited activities involving forest resources.
Under the Forests (Harvesting) Rules, operators can also be required to remedy avoidable damage and, where appropriate, submit plans for restocking damaged areas.
Nairobi’s green cover under pressure
Sakaja’s remarks come as Nairobi continues to grapple with the competing demands of infrastructure expansion, urbanisation and environmental conservation.
Tree removal has accompanied several major construction projects in the capital over the years, including road expansion and utility works.
The governor argued that development should not automatically mean the destruction of mature trees, particularly where alternative engineering solutions could be considered.
His comments are likely to intensify scrutiny of developers, road agencies and utility companies undertaking works in areas with established tree cover.
For environmental campaigners, the issue extends beyond the loss of individual trees. Mature trees can provide shade, absorb carbon dioxide, help improve air quality and contribute to the character and identity of urban neighbourhoods.
The loss of an established tree canopy can also be difficult to reverse quickly because newly planted seedlings take years to provide the environmental benefits of mature trees.
State agencies also in the spotlight
Sakaja said the county government would not exempt national government agencies from planning and approval requirements when carrying out projects within Nairobi.
He referred to discussions at the most recent Devolution Summit in Homa Bay County, where, according to the governor, leaders agreed that development projects undertaken within counties should obtain the necessary approvals from county planning structures.
“We discussed it at the summit that any development that happens in any county must have approvals from the planning committee of those counties, even by national government. That was the resolution of the last summit,” Sakaja said.
The governor said the objective was to ensure that development projects comply with relevant planning, environmental and county approval frameworks rather than proceeding without adequate consultation.
For Nairobi, the position could mean greater scrutiny of infrastructure projects that require the removal of trees, particularly mature trees located along roads, public spaces and established residential areas.
Warning comes amid Kenya’s huge tree-growing target
Sakaja’s warning comes as the national government continues to pursue its ambitious tree-growing programme.
Kenya has set a target of growing 15 billion trees, with government agencies describing the programme as part of efforts to restore degraded landscapes, increase tree cover and address the effects of climate change. Current government communications have variously referred to 2030 and 2032 in relation to the target.
That creates a striking contradiction at the heart of the debate: while the country is urging Kenyans to plant billions of trees, mature trees in urban areas can still be removed to make way for development.
Sakaja’s message is that the two objectives cannot be separated.
Where trees have already been cut, he wants developers and agencies to help restore what has been lost — and potentially plant several trees for every mature tree removed.
The governor’s warning therefore signals a tougher approach to Nairobi’s tree protection, with arrest threats and financial penalties potentially awaiting those who ignore the required procedures.
For developers and state agencies, the message from City Hall is blunt: development may continue, but Nairobi’s oldest trees cannot simply be treated as obstacles to be removed.
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