Musalia Mudavadi Dismisses Proposal to Relocate Kenya's Capital from Nairobi

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has ruled out relocating Kenya’s capital from Nairobi, saying that such a proposal is both legally and practically unworkable.

Appearing before the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, Mudavadi said Kenya’s land ownership system and the high financial cost make any relocation unrealistic. He explained that much of the land in urban areas is privately owned, which would make it difficult to establish a new capital without infringing on property rights. 

He noted that creating a new city would require acquiring land from citizens, raising significant legal and ethical concerns. Mudavadi acknowledged that some countries have successfully moved their capitals, including Nigeria and Tanzania. 

However, he emphasised that Kenya’s situation differs due to its land ownership structure, which limits the government’s ability to reallocate land on a large scale.

He also pointed to the substantial cost of relocating infrastructure, citing the Standard Gauge Railway as an example of the scale of investment that would be needed. 

Members of the committee had raised concerns about Nairobi’s exposure to flooding and the increase in housing on riparian land, suggesting that expansion or relocation could be considered. In response, Mudavadi said strengthening the city’s infrastructure and governance is a more practical approach.

He defended the ongoing cooperation agreement between the national government and Nairobi County, supported by KSh80 billion in funding. The programme targets improvements in water and sewerage systems, road and drainage networks, housing development, and solid waste management. It also includes plans to rehabilitate the Nairobi River.

Mudavadi said he chairs the joint steering committee overseeing the initiative, while implementation is led by Governor Johnson Sakaja through a technical team working with City Hall. He reiterated that addressing Nairobi’s challenges requires targeted reforms rather than relocation.