On 15 November 2025, Nairobi County's Urban Development and Planning department said it had removed 20 illegal billboards and was targeting about 100 structures put up without proper approval, along routes including James Gichuru Road, Mombasa Road and Lang'ata Road. The county warned that companies erecting or maintaining illegal structures face fines of up to KES 2 million, and that the exercise would continue until full compliance.
For brands, the risk is not only the fine. A structure taken down mid-campaign means lost media value, wasted production and an awkward conversation with management.
Before you sign an outdoor booking
- Ask the media owner for the county approval for that specific site and structure, and check that it covers your campaign dates.
- Confirm the advertising fees are paid for the period. The county's statement included billboards whose fees had not been paid.
- Check the structure itself: engineering approval for large structures, safe access for installers and lighting that meets the approval.
- Keep copies of approvals, invoices and photos in your campaign file.
For branded premises and signage
Shopfront signs, wall wraps and pylon signs at your own premises also need county approval and annual fees in most counties. Requirements differ between counties, so check with the county where each outlet sits before production.
How we approach outdoor work
DBM produces and installs large-format and fabricated signage across Kenya. On every installation we record geotagged photos and a client sign-off on the job card, and we ask for the site approval before our team climbs. If a site cannot show its approval, we flag it before production starts, not after.
This article summarises public reports and is general information, not legal advice. Check the current requirements with the county government concerned.
