City Hall steps up audit of buildings to avert disaster

Rescuers at a collapsed building in Kahawa West, Nairobi, on October 20, 2024. [File, Standard]

Nairobi residents, grappling with unsafe buildings, are set to see renewed efforts on compliance from the County Government and the National Building Inspectorate (NBI).

The latest building audit will focus on evaluating a wide range of issues including structural tests, waste management systems, ventilation, and compliance with urban planning laws.

On Monday, officials from Nairobi City County led a multi-agency team comprising of regulatory bodies, including the National Environment Management Authority, the Institute of Engineers of Kenya, and the Architectural Association of Kenya, to earmark buildings that have not met standards for demolition.

Kenya Institute of Planners and the Town and County Planners Association of Kenya have been roped in the comprehensive audit, which aims to assess the structural integrity of buildings in the city.

"You are required to stop further development/occupation forthwith. Remove the said development and vacate the building within a period of 14 days," reads a notice on a building next to the site of a collapsed one in Kahawa West.

These efforts are aimed at restoring faith in the city’s ability to protect its residents as well as prevent tragedies.

Tenants were seen making frantic efforts to move out of the buildings to avert disaster.

Jmaes Maina, a resident of the condemned Rojabels Apartment said his family’s life is paramount.

“Is mid-month and I don’t have money to rent a better house. I have got a holding place where my family can stay as we look for alternative house,” he said.

The move by authorities follows the collapse of a building in Kahawa West on Sunday, which had been declared unsafe for habitation. 

"The exercise will also entail sensitisation and technical training of county government and national government staff on building audit and inspection to verify structural integrity and safety of buildings within Nairobi," said area MCA Clement Kamaru.

Kamaru is optimistic that the exercise will bring a renewed sense of hope that their safety concerns are finally being addressed.

“The audit results will not only guide demolitions of dangerous buildings but also allow for the regularisation  of those that can be saved,” he stated.

On Sunday, Nairobi Deputy Governor James Muchiri revealed that all residential houses are set for fresh audit.

"The county government had issued directive for a fresh audit to all houses in Roysambu and other parts of Nairobi. This process will identify houses which are not fit for human living," he said.

He noted that majority of houses in the city are not fit for living and will be pulled down.

"Some old buildings had been put up without meeting the required standards. We inherited problems that needs to be fixed," he added.

The DG called for a review of all buildings constructed over the past two years, stressing that the review will cover all residential, business, and religious structures.

"This exercise will also rope in all plans approved but for which projects are yet to commence," he said.

A survey from a previous audit revealed that only 64 per cent of Nairobi’s buildings met required standards. In areas like Huruma, the findings were even more dire - 46 per cent of the buildings were flagged for poor ventilation, sanitation, and lighting.

Over the years, several incidents of collapsed structures—such as Sunbeam Supermarket in 1996 and buildings in Huruma and Pipeline in 2011—have forced the government’s hand to audit buildings and enforce safety regulations.