Alarm over rise in collapsed buildings as substandard materials, unqualified workers cited among causes

Experts are warning that poor-quality construction materials and the growing number of unqualified workers are major contributors to the problem. The concerns come at a time when heavy rains have flooded several structures across the country, heightening fears that some could give way due to weak foundations and substandard materials.

According to the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS), the lack of trained and certified professionals in the sector has compromised both the quality of materials used and the workmanship on many projects.

Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Walter Ongeti, said the agency has begun a nationwide certification exercise for all construction practitioners in line with international standards. He said the initiative is intended to weed out unqualified workers and strengthen safety and integrity in the multi-billion-shilling construction industry.

“We have identified key gaps in the sector, including the rise of unqualified practitioners and the use of poor-quality materials. The certification process is part of our effort to address these issues,” Eng. Ongeti said during a stakeholder engagement in Naivasha on Wednesday.

He added that KENAS will step up surveillance and work closely with other regulators, including the National Construction Authority (NCA), to ensure compliance with safety standards and reduce the risk of fatal incidents.

Eng. Hillary Ojwang from the National Construction Inspectorate said certifying professionals based on their technical expertise would help restore order and accountability in the industry.
“The accreditation process will ensure that only qualified professionals handle construction works, thereby improving quality and public safety,” he said.

Stakeholders have also called for stricter enforcement of the standards. Ali Noor Ibrahim, a sales leader at a French-based firm that oversees more than 1,600 testing laboratories worldwide, said practitioners who fail to meet accreditation requirements should have their licenses revoked.

“We are collaborating with agencies to ensure that all goods and materials entering the construction sector are properly inspected for safety and compliance,” Ibrahim said.

As the government intensifies efforts to regulate the industry, experts say enforcement will be key to ensuring that certification initiatives translate into safer, more resilient buildings across the country.