The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has issued a 30-day notice to owners of unapproved structures, billboards, advertisements, and businesses encroaching on road reserves. The announcement, made on Tuesday, November 25, highlights ongoing concerns over safety risks and obstruction to free passage along national highways.
In the notice, acting Director General Luka Kimeli directed all owners of unapproved or unrenewed installations on road reserves to remove them within thirty days. Failure to comply, the authority warned, will result in enforcement actions, including demolition and recovery of related costs.
“All persons with unlawful structures, businesses, developments, including unapproved and unrenewed billboards, advertisements, and directional signs on road reserves are hereby required to remove them within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice,” the statement read.
KeNHA emphasized that the directive is part of broader efforts to safeguard road safety and maintain orderly use of public infrastructure. The authority also urged affected persons to seek clarification if they had any reservations regarding the notice.
The move follows recent court cases highlighting the consequences of ignoring KeNHA’s directives. In August, five individuals appeared before a Mombasa Law Court after repeatedly failing to vacate a road reserve along the Mombasa–Nairobi highway. According to court documents, the accused had ignored several notices issued in April 2025. They pleaded guilty to encroachment, violating Sections 49(1)(a) and 49(6) of the Kenya Roads Act, No. 2 of 2007.
These developments mirror recent actions by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), which in September announced plans to remove unlawful signboards along the Eastern Bypass Corridor. KURA cited safety concerns and the negative impact of unauthorized structures on urban aesthetics.
KeNHA’s notice serves as a stern reminder that compliance with road reserve regulations is mandatory. Traders, billboard owners, and developers are urged to act swiftly to avoid demolition and penalties.
