Nairobi county is working on a new policy aimed at reducing delays, cutting costs and preventing conflicts in public projects by managing environmental and social risks from the start.
The Draft Environmental and Social Risk Management Policy (ESRMP) 2026 is designed to ensure issues such as pollution, unsafe infrastructure or displacement of communities are identified and addressed before projects begin.
County officials say this will improve how projects are planned, funded and implemented while saving taxpayers money and promoting safer, more sustainable development.
Speaking on behalf of the chief officer for Finance, Deputy Director of Budget James Ngunjiri said the policy will help the county identify risks early in the project cycle.
He said this will reduce delays, avoid unnecessary costs and prevent legal disputes that often arise when projects are poorly planned.
“By tackling these risks early, we reduce project delays, cost overruns and legal challenges while promoting value for money,” he said.
Technical Working Group chairperson Kefa Omanga said the policy introduces a clear framework for managing environmental and social safeguards at every stage of a project—from planning and budgeting to implementation and evaluation.
He said this will also improve stakeholder engagement and strengthen accountability while making Nairobi more attractive for sustainable investment.
Director of Economic Planning Geoffrey Sianga said the policy aligns with Kenya’s Public Finance Management Act, ensuring risk awareness is built into project planning and budgeting.
He added that this will improve the quality of public investments across the county.
The National Environment Management Authority has previously warned that poor environmental assessments have led to project suspensions, fines and public backlash in urban areas, including Nairobi.
The new policy also emphasises stronger public participation, requiring communities to be more involved in decision-making to reduce disputes between residents and developers.
Director of Research and Policy Benjamin Kimolo said the policy will guide Nairobi towards more inclusive and sustainable development.
Once finalised, the draft will undergo public participation before being submitted for approval.
Officials noted that while the policy does not introduce new penalties, any harmful activities will still be addressed under existing environmental and legal laws.
If implemented effectively, the ESRMP is expected to improve project delivery and help Nairobi build infrastructure that is both cost-effective and socially responsible.
