The National Construction Authority presented the government an audit on safety of buildings in Nairobi. From their research only 42 per cent of buildings were safe for human habitation though most require minor adjustments while a few are write-offs. The audit also gave notice on illegal buildings constructed on watersheds that are to be demolished.
According to the the Daily Nation website, Secretary of the Buildings Inspectorate in the Lands Ministry said construction within five metres of the highest point of a river was considered encroachment into riparian reserves.
Read also : Government issues stern warning on construction of buildings
At the same time, the Buildings Inspectorate has urged tenants to look out for cracks and water leakages in their residences and vacate unsafe buildings.
In the past few months, the Authority’s audit project covered 1,600 buildings in Huruma, Kariobangi, Umoja, Githurai, Zimmerman and Kahawa West. Two blocks in Roysambu were brought down and several others in Umoja have been earmarked for demolition.
This year alone, eight buildings have collapsed, killing several people and injuring others. In Nairobi, eight buildings have collapsed in recent months in Roysambu, Huruma and Makongeni, leaving 15 people dead and scores injured.
Since 1996, more than 30 buildings have collapsed in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Kiambu, Kisii and Meru. This is due to speed of construction and poor quality of materials used among contractors across the country.
[…] to a brief audit conducted by the National Construction Authority, only 42% of the buildings in Nairobi are safe for […]