Following the collapse of some more buildings in Nairobi in the recent past, the president has directed that all building property in the capital be audited and a report be submitted in three months. Several people became casualties in the recent case of collapse in Nairobi’s Huruma area – two people and an infant died.
Some people have pointed fingers on the materials and processes used for construction, and the auditing would be expected to check if building inspection and approvals are done as required.
The collapse and call for auditing of buildings also comes amidst construction boom in the country as a result of rapid rise in middle class in the last few years.
The collapsed was a 7-storey building, of which 6 were occupied and the seventh was under construction. Another 5-stoey building collapsed during December last year, where several others became casualties.
The owner of the collapsed building together with involved contractors and were called to report to the Director of Criminal Investigations yesterday.
The National Construction Authority has, on its part, overhaul, streamline and regulate construction activities in the country and registering contractors, has said there was “lack of adherence to statutory and other regulatory requirements, poor workmanship and a gross disregard for human life” in regard to the collapsed buildings in Huruma and Makongeni – Thika. The latter collapsed in December last year. This was through a public notice it issued on the collapses.
In relation to the collapse of the same building in Huruma, the Nairobi governor Dr Evans Kidero has suspended the county’s Chief Officer in charge of planning, urban development and housing.
