Sakaja fires warning to engineers, architects after Uthiru building collapse

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has issued a stern warning to city architects and engineers on building construction approvals after a five-storey apartment block collapsed in Uthiru on Tuesday night.

Speaking on Wednesday during the groundbreaking ceremony for the first public hospital in Mlango Kubwa, Mathare, Sakaja cautioned architects and engineers whose names are utilized by contractors on construction permits, emphasizing that they will be held responsible for any consequences that may arise.

"Action will be taken against any construction professionals who didn't follow the right procedures and approved the construction of the building that didn't meet required standards. The law must be followed," he said.

"If you are a professional architect or engineer whose name was used to get the construction approval for a building and you abandon the project for whatever reason, you must notify the professional body you belong to which will then inform the county that the project is ongoing without the supervision of professionals."

The Governor further lauded his team's swift response in evacuating tenants of the collapsed building, which has since been cordoned off as a crime scene. According to the Kenya Red Cross, all of the building's tenants have been accounted for. 

In new directives, Sakaja additionally mandated an audit of all buildings erected in the city within the past two years, starting from May 13, 2024.

This audit stems from feedback received by his administration from stakeholders within the Built Environment sector.

The Governor added that the multi-agency committee tasked to undertake the audit will have between 30 to 60 days to conclude the process and submit a findings report for implementation.

Additionally, Sakaja likewise temporarily suspended the issuance of new building plan approvals and excavations at ongoing construction sites.

"We have also suspended undertaking of excavations at construction sites as this would compromise the structural integrity and safety of adjourning buildings due to the ongoing heavy rains," he said.