Wednesday, 7th November 2024 Nairobi, Kenya – Following a public alert on an unsafe building on Plot L.R. No 71/11/3 in Kware, Kahawa West, Roysambu Subcounty, Nairobi County, a quick intervention by the National Construction Authority and multi sectoral agency led to issuance of an enforcement notice by the Nairobi City County Government. Evacuation immediately ensued supported by the National Police Service and the National Government Administration Officers.

Structural Integrity Concerns

The structure in question is a four-storey building with an additional penthouse used as a storage space. The building comprises of 20 one-bedroom units. The building was identified to belong to one Ms. Mary Wangui and has been in occupation for over 10 years.

Following an assessment, the building was flagged for several structural integrity issues, including:

Failure in Key Load-Bearing Areas: The ground floor wall and front left corner column exhibit structural failure, with visible cracks compromising the building’s stability. Cracking on Structural Elements: Cracks have been observed on the first-floor beams and ground floor walls. Dampness: Significant dampness is present on the balconies of the first floor, indicating water infiltration issues that could weaken the building structure over time.

Actions Taken

All tenants have been evacuated, and the building cordoned off. Additionally, the building owner has been ordered to demolish the structure failure to which will lead to swift action by the Government. Members of the public and property owners are reminded to prioritize structural safety in residential buildings. NCA continues to work alongside multi sectoral agencies in the built environment to ensure that safety standards are rigorously upheld in construction across the nation.

Eng. Maurice Akech, MBS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/REGISTRAR OF CONTRACTORS