The National Construction Authority (NCA) has ordered the demolition of a four-storey building under construction in the Gitaru area, Kiambu County, after it was found to be dangerously unstable and at risk of collapsing.
In a statement released on Thursday, September 11, NCA’s Executive Director Maurice Akech confirmed that the Kiambu County Government had already issued a demolition permit a day earlier, on Tuesday, September 10.
This came after NCA’s Quality Assurance team, during a routine inspection on September 8, discovered that the structure was being put up using poor-quality materials including weak concrete, sand, coarse aggregates, reinforcement steel, and cement.
According to the inspection report, several concrete columns at the ground level had already shown signs of severe stress and buckling, signaling imminent collapse.
Officials warned that the building posed a serious danger not only to workers on site but also to residents of nearby buildings.
Investigations further revealed that the construction was being carried out without approval from the authority, making it unlawful. As a result, NCA immediately ordered the suspension of all construction works on Monday and directed the evacuation of people living in adjacent houses.
“The Authority has noted with concern a progressive and escalating structural failure of a four-storey building at Gitaru, Kikuyu Sub-County. The defects pose a grave risk to workers, neighbouring buildings, and the public,” the statement read.
Legal Action and Safety Measures
NCA confirmed that all individuals involved in the illegal construction will face legal consequences, including sanctions and possible prosecution.
To strengthen oversight, the Authority has also formed a multi-sectoral team made up of representatives from the Kiambu County Government, the National Building Inspectorate, and the Engineers Board of Kenya.
This team will conduct a comprehensive structural audit of the building and file a report.
At the same time, NCA urged engineers, contractors, and developers to always obtain the necessary approvals and permits from county governments and the NCA before commencing any construction work, as required under the National Building Code 2024.
The Authority also appealed to members of the public to be more vigilant when undertaking building projects.
They were encouraged to hire only licensed professionals and valid contractors to guarantee safe, compliant, and durable structures.
“The public is further requested to share information on any non-compliant construction projects through our official helpline numbers +254 709 126 102/172/173, email info@nca.go.ke, or report through our 14 regional offices and social media platforms,” NCA advised.
This comes amid growing concerns about the rise of unsafe buildings in Kenya, many of which are put up without following construction guidelines, leading to frequent collapses that cause loss of lives and property. The move by NCA signals a stronger push to restore order and safety in the construction sector.
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