Nairobi govt directs mandatory testing for all building materials

All building materials for property in Nairobi will now be subjected to testing by experts to verify their suitability before any construction work begins.

The new directive by the Nairobi County government is aimed at preventing the collapse of buildings as witnessed this month in Makongeni.

Four people died and several others were critically injured in the incident.

The county government has directed that all materials used on all buildings and construction sites be tested and engineers will be expected to file reports to a special team.

A special construction audit and enforcement team has been set up to rein in unauthorised development targeting both the developers and contractors.

The team, which will incorporate major utility organisations (power, water and sewerage companies), the National Construction Authority and the County Security Committee will be launched early next month by Governor Evans Kidero.

“The aim of the strategy committee will be to respond to poor standards of buildings and construction which is taking place at an alarming rate in Nairobi City outside the county government’s approval processes,” said Nairobi Deputy Governor, Jonathan Mueke.

Mr Mueke said all the testing will be done by county government-approved private labs.

“The County Government will require submission of test results and declarations on the intended use of the materials tested. Where there would be proof of deviation from the materials tested and declared by the site engineer, disciplinary action will be instituted against them,” he said in a statement.

HOUSING PLANS

Mr Mueke said all county government-allocated land would only be developed through use of typical housing plans, structural drawings, infrastructure and environmental plans generated by the government that would be available to allottees at reasonable fees, which will be set by the government.

“The strategy involves a methodology to rid and clean the city of unregistered contractors and ensure that unapproved developments do not get services. It will also put in place a campaign to educate Nairobians that only certified buildings should be rented and occupied,” he said.

Nairobi City County Executive for Planning and Housing Tom Odongo said the government would carry out a comprehensive audit of buildings and develop a database for those that are certified as unsafe for occupation.

“The reason for this approach is that we will use the strength of each participant to make sure that the strategy works as well as rein in errant contractors and developers.

“Part of the problem in Nairobi County is the continued use of poor quality and substandard materials by developers and contractors.

"For this reason we have taken some of the building materials used in the collapsed Makongeni building for further analysis,” Mr Odongo said.