Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has called for the relocation of the Eastleigh Airbase, citing concerns that the growing population living near the military installation could be exposed to danger in the event of an attack.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has called for the relocation of the Eastleigh Airbase, citing concerns that the growing population living near the military installation could be exposed to danger in the event of an attack.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has called for the relocation of the Eastleigh Airbase, citing concerns that the growing population living near the military installation could be exposed to danger in the event of an attack in Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has called for the relocation of the Eastleigh Airbase, citing concerns that the growing population living near the military installation could be exposed to danger in the event of an attack
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has called for the relocation of the Eastleigh Airbase, citing concerns that the growing population living near the military installation could be exposed to danger in the event of an attack.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has called for the relocation of the Eastleigh Airbase, citing concerns that the growing population living near the military installation could be exposed to danger in the event of an attack.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has called for the relocation of the Eastleigh Airbase, citing concerns that the growing population living near the military installation could be exposed to danger in the event of an attack.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has called for the relocation of the Eastleigh Airbase, citing concerns that the growing population living near the military installation could be exposed to danger in the event of an attack.
Speaking before the Roads and Construction Committee on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Sakaja said the area had become densely populated since the military facility was established.
He warned that civilians living nearby could be caught up in an attack targeting the base, describing them as a potential “human shield” around the military installation.
The governor argued that military installations are strategic targets during security threats, alongside communication infrastructure and seats of power.
He maintained that the government should reconsider the airbase’s location in light of Nairobi’s rapid urban growth.
Sakaja acknowledged that relocating the facility might not be welcomed by military authorities.
He also said President William Ruto, as Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, would need to intervene if restrictions around the base were to be eased to support businesses in the area.
The proposal highlights the challenge of balancing Nairobi’s urban development, residents’ safety and national security. However, Sakaja’s remarks are a proposal, not confirmation that the airbase will be relocated.
On the Eastleigh Airbase, if you ask me, it needs to be relocated, because when it was set up, we didn’t have the kind of human settlement around it,” Sakaja stated.
The governor argued that relocating residents or reviewing the restrictions around the facility could help address the situation, although he acknowledged that the proposal might not be well received by military authorities.
Ideally, it should be relocated,” he said.
Sakaja also suggested that any decision to ease restrictions around the installation would require intervention by President William Ruto in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces.
The President is the one who has to say, ‘Reduce that restriction,’” the governor said, linking the issue to the need to support business activities in the area.
During the session, Sakaja also called for two legislative interventions to strengthen building safety and ensure developers are held accountable for violating approved construction plans.
First, he urged the Senate to review penalties imposed on developers who commence construction without the necessary approvals or breach building regulations.
Under the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019, the maximum fine for commencing development without permission is Ksh500,000, alongside possible imprisonment.
Sakaja argued that the penalty may not sufficiently deter violations, particularly for projects worth billions of shillings.
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