Nairobi News

Must Read

Authority halts new constructions in city


Several property developers in Nairobi have been ordered to stop construction of commercial buildings for failing to meet government regulations.

In a campaign it launched on Friday to ensure developers met the regulations, the National Construction Authority (NCA) found out that cowboy contractors were involved in construction work.

The two-month campaign came in the wake of collapse of several buildings in Nairobi, the latest of which involved a seven-storey building in Huruma, barely two weeks after a similar incident in Makongeni

“Every building must be constructed by a contractor who is registered by the National Construction Authority,” said NCA Senior Investigator Chrispus Ddinyo, who led a team of colleagues on a tour of Thika Road neighbourhoods where the campaign was launched.

HOUSING REGULATIONS

By Friday evening, the team had ordered developers of six buildings under construction in the area to stop work due to violation of housing regulations.

One of these regulations requires a property owner to put up a signboard at the construction site, showing all professionals undertaking the entire work.

These include the main contractor, the structural engineer and the architect who has designed the building.

“These are the professionals we follow when a buildings collapses or develops problems,” he said.

The number of the plot where the construction is taking place must also be indicated on the signboard as well as clearance from the National Environment Management Authority.

Another requirement is for those doing the construction work to have protective gears like helmets and gumboots.