Advertising on electricity poles, streetlight posts and public walls in Nairobi could soon come to an end if a fresh push by a member of the county assembly succeeds.

A city legislator is demanding immediate enforcement of a law passed in 2018 to curb the widespread and unregulated display of posters across the capital.

On Wednesday, Nairobi MCA John Rex Omolleh tabled a motion urging City Hall to operationalise the Nairobi City County Outdoor Advertising and Signage Control and Regulation Act, 2018, which was approved by the county assembly but has never been put into effect.

The Act aims to regulate outdoor advertising and stop the rising number of unauthorised posters on public infrastructure.

The motion also calls for the prompt development of enforcement rules to implement the law and restore the city’s visual order.

“Concerned that there are several adverts and posters erected in various public places such as electricity poles, streetlight poles, public walls and buildings, which has not only affected the aesthetics of the city but have not complied with the Nairobi City County Outdoor Advertising and Signage Control and Regulation Act, 2018,” said Omolleh as he moved the motion.

The Constitution gives counties the power to control outdoor advertising, manage public spaces, and maintain urban aesthetics. But Omolleh criticised the county executive for failing to implement its own law seven years after it was passed.

“Further concerned that the county assembly passed the Nairobi City County Outdoor Advertising and Signage Control and Regulation Act, 2018 which has not been published, publicised and operationalised to date,” the motion adds.

If adopted, the motion would require the county attorney to publish the Act within 14 days and instruct the Urban Planning department to develop detailed regulations to curb illegal advertising.

Among other proposals, the motion seeks to outlaw all forms of advertising on public infrastructure including electricity poles, streetlight posts and buildings, where posters for concerts, witchdoctor services and various businesses are currently common.