Nairobi may soon see the end of random posters and adverts plastered on electricity poles and public walls if a proposal by a city MCA is adopted.
The MCA has called on the county government to fully implement a law passed in 2018 to regulate outdoor advertising and restore order in public spaces.
The motion, tabled by John Rex Omolleh on Wednesday, urges the Nairobi County Government to activate the Nairobi City County Outdoor Advertising and Signage Control and Regulation Act, 2018, which was approved by the county assembly but has never been enforced. Omolleh also asked the county to come up with proper regulations to support the law.
He noted that the uncontrolled posting of adverts on public structures has become a common sight and continues to spoil the appearance of the city.
“Concerned that there are several adverts and posters erected in various public places such as electricity poles, streetlight poles, public walls and buildings, which have not only affected the aesthetics of the city but have not complied with the Nairobi City County Outdoor Advertising and Signage Control and Regulation Act, 2018,” he told the assembly.
Although the Constitution allows counties to regulate outdoor advertising and maintain cleanliness in public areas, Omolleh said City Hall has ignored this duty.
“Further concerned that the county assembly passed the Nairobi City County Outdoor Advertising and Signage Control and Regulation Act, 2018, which has not been published, publicised and 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 put in place regulations that stop illegal advertisements in Nairobi.
The motion specifically targets the use of public infrastructure for unapproved advertising. These include electricity and streetlight poles, public buildings and other surfaces where posters for events, quack services and promotions are often posted without control.
