On Monday, June 19, a three-storey building under construction in the Sagana area of Murang’a Town, Kenya, collapsed, trapping several individuals underneath. The evacuation efforts began at around 5:00 pm, and four people were successfully rescued and taken to Murang’a Level Five Hospital.
However, it is feared that over 10 individuals working at the site remained buried under the debris. Reports indicated that those trapped under the collapsed building were screaming for help, which helped the rescue team locate their positions.
The rescue mission faced challenges due to the large crowd that had gathered at the scene making search and rescue operations challenging. To help manage the situation, the police were deployed to control traffic and cordon off the area.
There was a momentary scuffle when residents expressed frustration over the perceived slow progress. However, the police explained that the rescue team had to construct temporary structures to stabilize the building and prevent further collapse which posed more risk to the rescuers and the trapped workers.
According to an eyewitness, the residents became angry with the perceived delay in the rescue efforts and started throwing stones at the rescue team, prompting police intervention.
Murang’a County Governor Irungu Kang’ata confirmed the incident in a statement and acknowledged that the construction of the building had been approved in 2021. However, he hinted that there may have been flaws in the approval process since the building was constructed near a water catchment area. He expressed the intention to take action against any individuals involved in the case and offered condolences to the affected families on behalf of the Murang’a County Government.
“Better assessment and approval considerations should have been made considering the riparian area (around the site). Action will be taken against any culprit involved in this case. The County Government of Murang’a County Government expresses sincere condolences to the families of persons affected by this unfortunate incident. We share in their grief,” Mr. Kang’ata stated.
Why do buildings collapse in Kenya?
The collapse of buildings in Kenya can be attributed to various factors. According to a 2022 audit report by the National Construction Authority (NCA), poor workmanship, and non-compliance with construction standards are the main causes. The report revealed that a significant number of buildings, out of the total audited, were marked as unsafe for occupancy and required reinforcement or demolition. The National Building Inspectorate had previously identified similar safety concerns in its 2018 audit.
In addition to poor workmanship and non-compliance, other factors contributing to building collapses include soaring prices of steel and cement. These high costs provide developers with incentives to cut corners or add additional floors without ensuring the structural integrity of the building can support the extra weight. Shortcuts, lack of attention to detail during construction, and a sense of impunity among developers are also cited as leading causes of building collapse in Kenya.
The country’s housing shortage further exacerbates the situation. Kenya has a housing deficit of at least two million units, with an annual increase of around 200,000 units, according to the World Bank. Property developers often capitalize on this demand by hastily constructing buildings, sometimes compromising on quality and safety measures, in order to quickly recoup their investments.
The situation has raised concerns about the integrity of buildings being erected in Kenya, particularly in recent times. It highlights the need for stricter adherence to construction standards, better enforcement of regulations, and increased oversight to ensure the safety of buildings and protect the lives of occupants.
It is important for authorities and stakeholders to address these issues and take appropriate measures to improve the construction industry, enhance building safety standards, and promote responsible development practices in Kenya.
Housing Levy in Kenya
Decent and affordable housing in Kenya is important as it affords dignity, security, and privacy to Kenyans. The Constitution of Kenya, 2010 mandates the State to take a legislative, policy and other measures to achieve the progressive realization of among others, the right to adequate and accessible housing. Kenya has made considerable strides in addressing decent housing but more is required to be done, as has been recommended by recent studies.
However, plans to implement the provision of housing in Kenya have always faced hurdles with the recent proposals in the Finance Bill 2023 to introduce a housing levy in Kenya meeting opposition from majority of the Kenyans.
