The National Construction Authority has intensified nationwide operations targeting buildings that violate construction regulations amid growing concerns over unsafe developments and the increasing number of unapproved structures across the country.

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Officials from the Authority say the crackdown comes after a rise in cases involving buildings that fail to meet required safety and construction standards, with some projects allegedly being handled by unqualified individuals posing as professionals in the construction sector.

Speaking during the launch of new construction research initiatives on July 1, NCA Construction Research Manager Meshack Otieno said the Authority was carrying out inspections and developing new guidelines aimed at strengthening building safety and compliance.

“We are developing a building inspection manual based on the National Building Code 2024, which is being supported by the World Bank," Otieno said.

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“We are also working on repair and maintenance manuals for buildings as well as mandatory building inspection frameworks,” Otieno added.

He noted that the new measures are intended to improve oversight within the construction industry while helping authorities detect unsafe structures early, before they become dangerous to occupants.

The latest concerns emerge against the backdrop of several recent building collapse incidents reported across the country, particularly in Nairobi, where authorities have recorded multiple cases involving structures under construction within the past few months.

In some of the incidents, people were killed and others injured after multi-storey buildings collapsed in areas including Westlands and South C, raising renewed questions over compliance with construction standards, approvals and safety enforcement within the sector.

The Authority has also raised concerns over the growing number of quack contractors, engineers, and developers operating without proper approvals, warning that some buildings are being constructed without adherence to professional standards and regulatory requirements.

NCA officials say the intensified inspections are part of broader efforts to prevent building collapses, improve accountability in the sector and protect members of the public from unsafe construction projects. Contractors and construction experts involved in the initiative also described the research as a major milestone for the Authority.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke