Nairobi City County runs many of the services that shape daily life. Most can now be paid for online, mainly through eCitizen and the county’s own systems.
Parking
Street parking in the CBD and many commercial areas is paid by the day or hour, through the county’s system by M-Pesa, and enforced by kanjo officers who clamp cars. Pay before you walk away, and keep the confirmation message. See Driving in Nairobi.
Business permits
Anyone trading from premises needs the county’s Unified Business Permit, renewed every year. See Registering a business.
Land rates
Owners of land and buildings in Nairobi pay annual land rates to the county. Unpaid rates build up with penalties and block a sale, because a buyer’s advocate will ask for a rates clearance certificate. See Buying property.
Rubbish
Household rubbish is usually collected by private collectors arranged by the building, estate or residents’ association, for a monthly fee. Illegal dumping and littering can bring fines.
Markets and hawking
The county runs many public markets and licenses traders. Hawking is allowed only in designated areas and times.
Health and other services
The county runs public health facilities, including Mama Lucy Kibaki and Mbagathi hospitals and many health centres, as well as early childhood education, fire and ambulance services, and some sports grounds.
Water
Water and sewerage are supplied by Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, owned by the county. See Utilities in Nairobi.
Complaints and help
- Start with the relevant county office or its official social media accounts, and keep reference numbers.
- Your ward’s MCA can raise local problems with the county.
- For service failures, public-sector complaints can also go to the Commission on Administrative Justice (the Ombudsman).