NAIROBI — Kileleshwa MCA Hon. Robert Alai has welcomed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) crackdown on alleged corruption networks in Nairobi City County’s urban planning department, but warned that the operation may only be “the tip of a much larger cartel system.”
The remarks come after EACC investigators reportedly recovered cash and other materials from the residence of suspended Chief Officer Patrick Analo Akivaga in a widening probe into alleged irregular development approvals in the capital.
“I welcome the ongoing investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) into the deeply rooted corruption cartels within Nairobi City County’s Urban Planning and Development sector,” Alai said.
He added that the findings so far only confirm long-standing public concerns.
“The recovery of substantial cash and other materials from the residence of suspended Chief Officer Patrick Analo Akivaga confirms what residents, professionals, civil society, and my office have persistently raised over the years,” he stated.
“The action has come very late”
While praising the investigation, Alai argued that residents have suffered for years under what he described as a broken planning system.
“However, while I welcome the action by EACC, I must also state clearly that this intervention has come very late,” he said.
He accused the county planning system of being overwhelmed by corruption, illegal approvals, and manipulation of zoning laws.
“For years, my office has consistently raised alarm over the runaway corruption, illegal approvals, zoning manipulation, fake public participation forums, environmental destruction, extortion rackets, and cartel-controlled development approvals that have devastated Kileleshwa and other parts of Nairobi,” Alai stated.
He further claimed residents’ complaints were repeatedly ignored.
“Residents have submitted petitions, attended hostile public forums, taken legal action, complained to county offices, written to NEMA and professional bodies, and continuously demanded accountability,” he said.
“Unfortunately, many of those complaints were ignored, trivialized, or suppressed.”
Kileleshwa “at the centre of planning chaos”
Alai singled out Kileleshwa as one of the hardest-hit neighbourhoods, saying uncontrolled developments had permanently altered its residential character.
“Kileleshwa has been among the greatest victims of this cartel system,” he said.
He warned that residential estates were being transformed without adequate infrastructure planning.
“Residential zones have been invaded by uncontrolled high-rise developments without adequate sewer systems, roads, water supply, parking, or environmental safeguards,” Alai noted.
“Families have lost quiet residential neighbourhoods to greed-driven approvals issued without proper regard to planning law or public interest,” he added.
Names of officials mentioned in complaints
In the statement, Alai named several senior officials he claimed have repeatedly appeared in public complaints regarding planning irregularities.
“The names Patrick Analo, Fredrick Ochanda, Tom Achar, Osman Khalif, Dominic Mutegi, and several current and former CECMs have consistently featured in complaints from residents and stakeholders,” he said.
He insisted that the problem goes beyond one individual.
“Patrick Analo was not operating alone. He was part of a much larger and deeply entrenched cartel network that has held Nairobi hostage for years,” Alai stated.
He warned that limited action would not solve the crisis.
“Unless the entire network is dismantled, changing one officer will merely amount to cosmetic action,” he said.
Alai demands sweeping crackdown on planning system
Alai called for a full audit of Nairobi’s planning and approvals ecosystem, including consultants and brokers allegedly involved in irregular approvals.
He also demanded urgent action against the Outdoor Advertising Department.
“Officers have turned Nairobi into a visual dumping ground by approving uncontrolled billboard proliferation on road reserves, sidewalks, public spaces, roundabouts, residential areas, and environmentally sensitive locations,” he said.
“Suspend approvals and verify every project”
Alai further called for immediate suspension of approvals and occupation certificates in major estates.
“Immediate suspension and audit of all recent development approvals issued under the current Urban Planning regime, especially in Kileleshwa, Kilimani, Lavington, Riverside, Westlands, Parklands, and other heavily affected zones,” he said.
He also demanded strict verification before any building is occupied.
“Suspension of issuance of occupation certificates for ongoing developments until every approval process, compliance certificate, public participation process, environmental impact assessment, and zoning compliance is independently verified,” Alai added.
Call for leadership overhaul
Alai urged a full restructuring of Nairobi’s urban planning committee and inclusion of independent professionals and oversight bodies.
He also called for a change in leadership at the planning department.
“Dominic Mutegi cannot credibly serve as the face of reforms while being part of the very system residents have complained about for years,” he said.
Warning to City Hall leadership
Alai issued a direct political warning, urging the Nairobi Governor to act decisively.
“As long as Osman Khalif, Fredrick Ochanda, Tom Achar, Dominic Mutegi, and associated networks continue calling the shots within the planning sector, Nairobi residents will not experience peace, fairness, or confidence in the planning system,” he said.
“The Governor must now move beyond public relations and demonstrate genuine political will to dismantle the cartels fully,” he added.
“This must not be another cosmetic purge”
Alai concluded by warning against superficial reforms.
“This moment must become the beginning of genuine reforms, not merely the sacrifice of one officer to protect a larger network,” he said.
He reaffirmed his support for residents of Kileleshwa and Nairobi in pushing for accountability and lawful urban planning.
“I remain committed to standing with the residents of Kileleshwa and Nairobi in demanding lawful planning, environmental protection, accountable governance, and a city designed for human dignity rather than cartel profit,” he said.
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