Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has issued a stern warning to government agencies, contractors and private developers over the indiscriminate cutting of trees across the city, declaring that no individual or institution is legally allowed to remove trees without approval from the Nairobi City County Government.
Speaking on Sunday, Sakaja expressed concern over the increasing destruction of mature trees along major roads in Nairobi, including areas near State House.
He said the city has witnessed widespread environmental degradation and announced that he had convened a meeting with key government agencies this week to develop a coordinated strategy to protect Nairobi’s tree cover.
“No agency or individual is supposed to cut down trees without permission from the county. It is illegal. I have seen a lot of destruction along our roads in Nairobi, including near State House. I have called a meeting with several agencies so that we can discuss this matter,” Sakaja said.
The Governor emphasized that many of Nairobi’s mature trees have taken decades to grow and form an important part of the city’s environmental heritage. He noted that while infrastructure projects can be adjusted, the loss of established trees cannot easily be reversed.
“A power line can be relocated, but not a tree. Some trees have taken decades to grow to the way they are now. It is illegal to cut them down without written approval from the Director of Environment,” he added.
Sakaja said the issue of tree protection was also raised during the Council of Governors Summit, where counties agreed that any development project requiring tree removal must first receive approval from the relevant county government.
He added that Nairobi County has already written to road agencies and will engage them this week to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and protect the city’s remaining green spaces.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to environmental conservation, Sakaja said the county would not tolerate unauthorized tree felling, stressing that preserving Nairobi’s urban forest is essential in creating a sustainable and climate-resilient city.
“Trees are our legacy. They have taken decades to grow. Let us preserve them, not destroy them,” Sakaja said.
The warning comes after several mature trees were felled near State House, with dozens more along Nairobi’s roads removed in recent months to pave the way for road expansion projects and electricity infrastructure installations.
