24/10/2026
Following the collapse of the 18-storey building in Eastleigh, Nairobi, yesterday, it is important to examine some of the factors that contribute to building collapses in Kenya.
It Starts at the Design Stage
1. Use of unqualified individuals masquerading as engineers. This can result in poorly designed structures. It is unlikely that a qualified engineer would provide an inadequate design for such a structure.
2. Deviation from approved structural drawings during implementation. In most cases, this is client-driven, with the aim of saving on the costs of steel and concrete materials. Sometimes, it could be due to an unqualified contractor who is unable to interpret the drawings correctly.
3. Unauthorized Changes in Scope
This happens, for instance, when a building has been designed to have 10 floors but ends up with 18 floors without a proper engineering assessment and review of the structural drawings.
Structural elements are designed to withstand specific loads. Anything beyond their design capacity can cause structural failure during construction or later.
4. Poor Construction
This often starts with the engagement of unqualified contractors who are not properly qualified, registered, or sufficiently experienced.
It happens when a contractor fails to adhere to acceptable construction standards. This ranges from incorrect steel fixing and improper concrete mix ratios to inadequate curing and failure to allow suspended slabs sufficient time to cure and attain the required strength.
Other areas include poor workmanship, especially during concrete casting. This accounts for over 35% of building failures in Kenya.
Also, The use of substandard steel, cement, aggregates, and other construction materials can compromise the strength and durability of a structure. All materials should meet the required standards and specifications, and appropriate quality-control procedures should be followed throughout construction.
5. Inadequate Site Supervision
This happens when the contractor lacks proper supervision structures, ranging from site-level supervision to office support. Such breakdowns in supervision can result in poor workmanship and non-compliance with approved construction drawings.
6. Regulatory Lapses and Corruption
The National Construction Authority (NCA), county government planning departments, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Water Resources Authority (WRA), the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), and other relevant bodies have legal responsibilities for regulating construction activities. Their level of involvement depends on the size and nature of the project.
Corruption and impunity have made it difficult for these bodies to regulate construction activities effectively.
Where violations or structural safety concerns are identified, the relevant authorities must take appropriate and timely action. Construction activities that pose a serious risk should not be allowed to continue until the necessary corrective measures have been implemented and verified
In Summary
- Building collapses are often fatal and can claim the lives of innocent people.
- They result in massive financial losses.
- Addressing this problem calls for a joint, multidisciplinary approach involving clients, professionals, contractors, and regulatory bodies.
What Needs to Be Done
- Clients should work with qualified, experienced, and disciplined consultants.
- Clients should allow themselves to be guided by professionals.
- Clients should employ registered, qualified, experienced contractors with good reputations.
- Projects should be adequately supervised at all levels to ensure compliance with approved designs, specifications, and construction standards.
Every building must be designed, approved, and constructed with safety as the highest priority. Saving costs should never come at the expense of human lives.
Let us build responsibly. Let us build safely. Let us Build it right!
Author:
Boniface Ambale
Director, Bonvaly Construction Ltd (BCL)
BSc. Construction Management (UoN)
