Wamuzi News Ke
In a bold and sweeping move, Nairobi’s Chief Environment Officer Geoffrey Mosiria has announced that animal farming will no longer be allowed within the boundaries of Nairobi City.
The directive, revealed this week, is expected to reshape the urban landscape and deeply impact small-scale livestock keepers across the city.Mosiria’s decision comes amid growing concern about environmental health risks and unplanned animal rearing in residential and peri-urban areas.
According to his office, keeping livestock such as cattle, goats, or poultry inside Nairobi undermines sanitation efforts, contributes to illegal dumping issues, and increases the threat of zoonotic disease.
The ban is to take effect immediately, and Mosiria has warned that enforcement will be strict. “There will be no exceptions,” he said in a statement, signaling that Nairobi County is ready to back the policy with decisive action.
Local experts believe this could lead to mass impoundment, fines, or resettlement of animals outside city limits.Farmers who keep animals within the city are already reacting with outrage. Many of them rely on small-scale farming for food, income, and as a safety net.
For these residents, the announcement is deeply personal — they fear losing their livelihoods, being forced to sell their animals cheaply, or relocate them at great financial cost. Some are calling for compensation, while others demand alternative grazing grounds to be set up outside Nairobi.
The directive is also provoking broader debate. Supporters of Mosiria’s move argue that grazing animals in densely populated areas has no place in a modern metropolis. They see the ban as a long-overdue step toward protecting public health and strengthening waste management systems.
But critics are warning that the policy may unfairly punish the poorest city dwellers — especially in informal settlements where animal keeping has long been a way of life.Legal analysts predict a fight may be coming.
Since the question of livestock is deeply tied to rights, tradition, and economic survival, some animal keepers and residents may petition the courts. The city would also need to clarify where and how displaced animals will be relocated — or whether farmers will be helped to transition to licensed facilities.
On the environmental side, Mosiria suggests the ban is part of a broader plan to “green” Nairobi. He has linked the measure to efforts to close illegal dumpsites, improve waste management, and expand green zones.
But he has not yet outlined where displaced livestock will be housed, raising questions about how the policy will be implemented fairly.For now, Nairobi stands at a critical inflection point: Can the city enforce a clean, modern environment without hurting vulnerable residents who depend on keeping animals?
What unfolds in the coming weeks will test both the reach and the morality of Mosiria’s bold vision for Kenya’s capital.
