Kiambu Building Faces Demolition as NCA Sounds Alarm Over Collapse Risk
A four-storey building under construction in Gitaru, Kiambu County, is set to be demolished after experts declared it dangerously unstable. The National Construction Authority (NCA) confirmed the decision on Thursday, September 11, citing serious safety concerns.
Speaking to the press, NCA Executive Director Maurice Akech revealed that the Kiambu County Government had issued a demolition permit on Tuesday, September 10.
“The Authority’s preliminary inspection has established that several reinforced concrete columns at ground level are under severe stress, have buckled and are on the verge of total collapse,” Akech stated.
He emphasized the urgency of the situation.
“The current state of the structure presents a significant risk to the workers, adjacent buildings, and the general public,” he added.
The building, inspected on Monday, September 8, was found to be constructed using substandard materials. These included poor-quality concrete, sand, coarse aggregates, reinforcement steel, and cement.
Due to the alarming findings, NCA formed a multi-sectoral team. This includes officials from Kiambu County Government, the National Building Inspectorate, and the Engineers’ Board of Kenya. Their task is to conduct a full structural audit and submit a detailed report.
Meanwhile, the authority has vowed to hold all parties involved accountable.
“All individuals linked to this unlawful construction will face legal processes and sanctions,” Akech warned.
In addition, NCA urged developers and engineers to follow proper procedures. They must obtain permits from county governments and the NCA before starting any construction, as outlined in the National Building Code 2024.
The public also received a strong advisory. They were asked to hire only certified contractors and professionals to ensure safety and compliance.
“The public is further requested to provide information on any non-compliant construction projects through +254 709 126 102/172/173 or info@nca.go.ke,” the authority stated.
“Complaints and relevant information may also be forwarded to the Authority through our fourteen regional offices as listed on the Authority’s website and our social media platforms,” the statement continued.
This incident has sparked concern across Kiambu and beyond. Residents fear for their safety and demand stricter enforcement of building regulations.
As the demolition looms, many are asking how such a project progressed without proper oversight. The NCA’s swift action may have prevented a deadly disaster—but it also exposes deeper cracks in Kenya’s construction oversight.
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Kiambu Building Faces Demolition as NCA Sounds Alarm Over Collapse Risk
