The National Construction Authority (NCA) has ordered the demolition of a four-storey building in Gitaru, Kikuyu Sub-County, Kiambu. The move comes after an inspection revealed serious safety risks and the use of poor-quality construction materials.
Inspection Findings
On Monday, September 8, the NCA Quality Assurance team inspected the building. They discovered that the structure was being built with substandard concrete, sand, aggregates, reinforcement steel, and cement. Several columns at the ground level had already buckled under stress and were at risk of total collapse.
Following the inspection, the authority suspended all construction works and evacuated people living in nearby buildings.
Demolition Permit Granted
On Tuesday, September 10, the Kiambu County Government issued a demolition permit. NCA’s Executive Director, Maurice Akech, confirmed the action in a statement on Thursday, September 11. He explained that the building had been put up without approvals from the authority.
Legal Action and Structural Audit
NCA announced that all parties involved in the unlawful construction would face legal sanctions. A multi-sectoral team has also been formed to conduct a structural audit. The team includes officials from the Kiambu County Government, the National Building Inspectorate, and the Engineers’ Board of Kenya.
Warning to Developers
The authority has urged engineers and developers to always seek the necessary permits in line with the National Building Code 2024. It also advised the public to hire only registered contractors and professionals to ensure safety and compliance.
Citizens have been encouraged to report unsafe buildings or non-compliant projects through NCA hotlines, email, or regional offices.
