Nairobi is considering major changes to the use of land occupied by two of its aviation facilities as the county seeks to accommodate a growing population and improve urban planning.
Governor Johnson Sakaja told senators that Moi Airbase in Eastleigh should be considered for relocation, arguing that the rapid expansion of residential neighbourhoods around the military installation had changed the security and planning conditions that informed its establishment.
The proposal is part of a wider review of Nairobi’s development priorities, including housing, public spaces, transport and infrastructure. The county is also examining the future of Wilson Airport amid concerns about construction around its flight paths.
Appearing before the Senate Committee on Roads, Transportation and Housing, chaired by Senator Hamida Kibwana, Sakaja said the military facility was established when the surrounding area was far less populated.
He warned that the concentration of residents around the base could complicate security arrangements during a conflict.
“If you ask me, it needs to be relocated,” Sakaja told the committee, adding that the growing population around the installation could create security risks.
He said military facilities and communications infrastructure could become targets during an attack, potentially exposing nearby residents to danger.
The governor acknowledged that relocating the base could face resistance from the military. However, he argued that Nairobi’s expansion required a fresh assessment of how strategic public land was used.
National security questions
The proposal raised questions about the balance between urban development and national security.
Senator Mohamed Chute of Marsabit County asked whether the county had consulted the national government and whether moving the installation would improve safety or introduce new security concerns.
The discussion also touched on building-height restrictions around the airbase, which Sakaja said had been relaxed. The changes have raised questions about how authorities balance development pressures with the operational needs of military facilities.
Although the governor suggested that some of the land could potentially accommodate public amenities, he acknowledged that sensitive military installations could not be opened to the public without proper assessment and clearance.
Any decision to relocate the base or change the use of its land would require the involvement of the relevant national authorities.
Wilson Airport under scrutiny
Wilson Airport also featured in the Senate committee’s deliberations, with members raising concerns about encroachment and the pressure created by Nairobi’s expanding built environment.
Kibwana questioned whether the airport should be relocated and what measures the county intended to take to address aviation safety and conflicts over land use.
The debate reflects a broader challenge facing Nairobi, where residential and commercial construction continues to compete with transport infrastructure and other public needs.
Sakaja said the county had struggled to enforce planning regulations, citing legal and institutional obstacles, including delays in prosecuting alleged violations.
However, the discussion did not establish a final decision to relocate either facility. The proposals remain part of the wider debate over how Nairobi should manage its growth.
Nairobi looks towards 2050
Sakaja said the county planned to use its proposed Nairobi Vision 2050 framework to reconsider how land is allocated for housing, transport, security and public amenities.
He told senators that Nairobi’s major urban planning framework dated back to 1978, with another plan introduced in 2014. He argued that the city’s population and economic activity had outgrown the assumptions behind earlier planning decisions.
“We have to rethink it actively, and rethink it now,” the governor said, pointing to the daily influx of people and the resulting pressure on infrastructure and available land.
He cited the limited availability of recreational facilities and green spaces in densely populated neighbourhoods around Moi Airbase as an example of the competing demands facing the county.
Beyond land use, the proposed framework includes plans to improve public transport and reduce congestion. Sakaja said the county was developing proposals for an underground rail system, alongside bus rapid transit and intelligent traffic management measures.
He argued that Nairobi needed to move beyond a planning approach centred mainly on roads and provide residents with better public transport options.
The future of Moi Airbase and Wilson Airport will therefore depend on more than the availability of land. It will also require decisions on aviation safety, national security, public transport and the responsibilities of county and national authorities.
