Kenya’s construction boom drives sharp rise in demand for lifts

Kenya’s accelerating shift toward high-rise buildings is driving a major surge in demand for elevators and escalators, with engineers and regulators urging strict compliance with safety standards as more developments rise across urban centres.

Speaking during the International Sourcing Exposition for Elevators and Escalators (ISEE Africa) at the KICC, industry leaders said vertical transport systems have become indispensable in Kenya’s rapidly expanding skyline.

Engineers Board of Kenya CEO Margaret Ogai said the country’s evolving architecture is pushing demand for lifts to record levels.

“We are seeing more buildings going higher—20 floors, 30 floors and beyond—and that naturally increases the demand for elevators,” she said.

“Our engineers are well trained and globally competitive, and they are capable of handling installation, design and maintenance of these systems.”

Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Director for Standards Development and Trade Zacharia Lukorito said elevators are now central to building safety and accessibility, especially under disability-inclusion regulations.

“Vertical transportation has become a critical issue in this country,” he said.

Lukorito pointed out that incidents such as stalling or sudden drops are often a result of neglected servicing. He said that KEBS is enforcing internationally aligned standards including the ISO 8100 series.

“Most of the problems we see are maintenance related. Proper, regular maintenance is what guarantees safety,” he said.

Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) Secretary Jacton Mwembe said the demand surge reflects Kenya’s rapid urbanisation and the government’s affordable housing drive.

“Developers are going vertical, and elevators are no longer optional. They are a mandatory safety component,” he said.

The Kenya Property Developers Association (KPDA) Interim General Manager Rose Kananu said demand for lifts has surged in tandem with vertical residential and commercial developments.

“Developers are constructing higher than before, and elevators are no longer optional, I urge developers to be better-informed and make safer choices for the public,” Kananu stated.

The National Construction Authority (NCA) has reinforced that Kenya’s building code requires lifts for structures above six storeys, with additional fire-safety provisions for taller buildings.

NCA warned that as installations increase, inspection and maintenance will determine the safety and reliability of vertical transport across the country.

With global manufacturers exhibiting advanced technologies at the Nairobi expo, stakeholders say Kenya is positioning itself for long-term capacity building, including potential local assembly and manufacturing—driven by an ever-rising skyline and growing dependence on safe, efficient vertical mobility.