Musalia Mudavadi Rules Out Relocating Kenya’s Capital from Nairobi

Musalia Mudavadi Rules Out Relocating Kenya’s Capital from Nairobi

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has firmly dismissed proposals to relocate Kenya’s capital from Nairobi, citing legal, financial, and structural constraints that make such a move impractical under current conditions.

Appearing before the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations on Monday, March 30, Mudavadi told lawmakers that while other countries have successfully moved their capitals, Kenya’s unique land ownership framework presents significant obstacles.

“We cannot relocate the capital to another city. In Tanzania they were able to do that with Dodoma and in Nigeria they moved away from Lagos. Our land tenure system cannot provide a solution like the one in Tanzania and Nigeria,” Mudavadi stated.

The PCS was responding to questions from senators on whether relocating or expanding the capital could offer a long-term solution to Nairobi’s growing urban challenges, including flooding, congestion, and the proliferation of settlements on riparian land.

Mudavadi acknowledged that countries such as Tanzania and Nigeria successfully relocated their capitals to Dodoma and Abuja respectively, but emphasised that Kenya’s circumstances are markedly different due to the prevalence of private land ownership in urban areas.

“A lot of the land in urban areas belongs to Kenyan citizens. Even if you move beyond that, you would be looking at compromising people’s land to create a new city,” he explained.

According to Mudavadi, acquiring vast tracts of land for a new capital would likely trigger complex legal battles and compensation demands, making the process both costly and politically sensitive.

He also pointed to the enormous financial implications of relocating critical infrastructure, including transport systems such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), government institutions, and public utilities.

Experts have previously warned that moving a capital city involves not only constructing new administrative centres but also replicating entire economic ecosystems, a process that can take decades and require billions of dollars.

Instead of pursuing relocation, Mudavadi urged policymakers to focus on improving Nairobi’s existing infrastructure and governance systems. He highlighted an ongoing cooperation agreement between the national government and the Nairobi County Government aimed at transforming service delivery in the capital.

The Ksh80 billion initiative targets key sectors including water and sewerage, road and bridge construction, drainage systems, housing development, and solid waste management, as well as the regeneration of the Nairobi River.

“The joint steering committee which I chair is not the implementing committee. Implementation is led by Governor Sakaja through a hands-on committee that works closely with technical teams from both the national government and City Hall,” Mudavadi clarified.

The cooperation framework is part of broader efforts to address Nairobi’s rapid urbanisation and infrastructure strain, which have been exacerbated by population growth and unplanned development.

Urban planners have long argued that strengthening satellite towns, improving public transport, and enforcing zoning regulations could ease pressure on the capital without the need for relocation.

Mudavadi’s remarks are likely to shape ongoing policy discussions around urban planning and national development, particularly as Kenya grapples with balancing growth and sustainability in its major cities.

While the idea of relocating the capital continues to surface in public discourse, the government’s position, as articulated by the PCS, signals a clear preference for upgrading Nairobi rather than replacing it.

As debates continue, attention is expected to shift toward how effectively current initiatives can address the city’s long-standing challenges and secure its role as Kenya’s political and economic hub for the foreseeable future.

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Musalia Mudavadi Rules Out Relocating Kenya’s Capital from Nairobi