News
Architects on the warpath against quacks
Posted Tuesday, January 12 2010 at 22:12
A list of qualified architects has been put out to save the public from hiring quacks to design buildings.
The Architectural Association of Kenya on Tuesday warned wananchi (citizens) against transacting business with quacks who, according to them, have flooded the market.
In a paid-up advert, the AAK on Monday published a list of registered firms allowed to transact architectural business. The list came out three days after a building collapsed in Kiambu, killing three people.
The association’s registrar, Mr Alexander Mutai, said government agencies and ministries had asked them for the list of current members.
Private sector
They also received similar requests from the private sector, he said, and warned the public against engaging unregistered people.
At the same time, AAK chairman Steven Oundo said quacks outnumbered qualified professionals by more than three times, a situation he described as a disaster waiting to happen.
For buildings under construction, says Mr Oundo, the absence of a site sign board should immediately send a warning signal even to passers-by.
Project sign boards indicate the developer’s name and address, local authority approval number, architect’s details, engineers, quantity surveyors and other professionals, Nema approval number and a pictorial impression of the proposed building.
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Submitted by tonnygatchPosted January 13, 2010 08:42 PM
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Submitted by InSidious
Kamau1947, you are dead on. Before a building is put up, the County Council and Municipality's must approve the building. In some instances, the Ministry of Public works must inspect ongoing construction. My internship at this Ministry opened up gaping holes in this process that date back decades.
Posted January 13, 2010 06:35 PM -
Submitted by Make1
Lets apply Hamurabis Law: If a builder build a house for some one and complete it, he shall give him a fee of two shekels in money for each sar of surface. If a builder build a house for some one, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built fall in and kill its owner, then that builder shall be put to death. If it kill the son of the owner the son of that builder shall be put to death.
Posted January 13, 2010 12:27 PM -
Submitted by Kamau1947
Kenyans are again dying due to greed in building ever higher apartment blocks, failing to adhere to Building Codes. Question, had the council inspected the building under section 16. If not, why not. They are there to protect us. The next issue is fire escapes and lifts, when will we see them in 5 and 6 story buildings? More Kenyan will die in collapsed buildings and fires unless we use competent Architects, Builders and council Engineers. All buildings over 4 stories should be suspect unless designed and by professionals. Sorry, the local fundi will not do for such structures.
Posted January 13, 2010 10:13 AM
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This is a disturbing issue. If we get a 5.0 earth quake around Nairobi today night, the number of people who would perish would be astronomical. Normally before a building structure is put up, the local council is supposed to approve plans from the owner. These plans should be counter approved by a structural engineer who should verify that they are structurally sound. This is does not happen in Kenya and the person approving these plans signs off people to their death. Places like Mathare North and Dandora are filled with these types of buildings without structural support.