Institution of Engineers of Kenya Pushes for New Law on Independent Building Safety Audits

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) is advocating for a new law to enforce independent building safety audits, citing concerns over weak inspections, poor supervision, and continued construction failures. IEK President Harrison Keter stated that the proposed External Building Audit Act would provide an additional layer of oversight, requiring independent assessments of buildings and strengthening compliance checks. This move aims to establish accountability where structural defects threaten occupants.

The push for stronger oversight comes amid persistent building safety concerns in Kenya. Research by the National Construction Authority (NCA) published in 2020 documented 87 building failures and collapses in Kenya between 1990 and 2018. Furthermore, an audit of 14,925 buildings in 2018 classified 723 as very dangerous and 10,791 as unsafe. These statistics highlight the need for more stringent measures to ensure building safety.

Recent figures from the Architectural Association of Kenya’s Status of the Built Environment Report 2025 indicate gaps in inspections. In 2025, the National Building Inspectorate audited 396 buildings, a significant decrease from 20,649 in 2024. Of those inspected in 2025, 87 per cent failed to meet building standards or lacked required approvals. The report also notes that the NCA issued 13,348 suspension-of-work notices, rejected 1,125 project-registration applications, and approved 4,687 as compliant.

The risks associated with inadequate building safety measures were highlighted by the January 2026 collapse of a building under construction in Nairobi’s South C estate. Investigations revealed that four additional floors had been constructed beyond the approved designs, despite the project having been approved for 12 storeys. This incident underscores the need for effective supervision and enforcement of building regulations.

IEK President Harrison Keter also questioned the capacity of engineers to supervise construction effectively, citing cases where professionals were assigned responsibility for hundreds of projects. He called for greater involvement of independent consulting engineers and clearer accountability for those approving and supervising developments. This would help ensure that construction projects adhere to approved designs and standards.

Principal Secretary in the State Department for Roads Joseph Mbugu emphasized the need for the industry to address unqualified practitioners, poor supervision, and disregard for approved construction procedures. He urged developers, contractors, and professionals to comply with approved designs and standards, while professional regulators should investigate misconduct and discipline practitioners who breach their obligations.

The push for stronger oversight follows a series of building failures reported this year, including the collapse of an 18-storey building under construction in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area on October 23, resulting in eight confirmed deaths and five people still reported missing. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja stated that the development lacked necessary construction approvals, and investigations were launched into the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

Key points

• IEK proposes the External Building Audit Act to enforce independent building safety audits and strengthen compliance checks.
• Recent building failures highlight the need for more stringent measures to ensure building safety in Kenya.
• The construction industry needs to address unqualified practitioners, poor supervision, and disregard for approved construction procedures.