City Hall unveils joint plan to stem building collapses

The Nairobi government has unveiled a coordinated approach between its urban planning and roads departments to stem building collapses and improve public safety

This came after two buildings collapsed last month, once again putting the spotlight on regulatory lapses and weak enforcement in the fast-growing city.

On January 2, a 16-storey building under construction in South C collapsed, trapping workers beneath the rubble.

At least two bodies were recovered as investigations began into possible structural weaknesses and alleged construction beyond approved floors.

Barely a week later, on January 10, another building under construction in Karen caved in, killing two workers and injuring seven others, amid suspicions of compliance and structural failures.

For residents, the latest collapses have revived fears about the safety of high-rise developments mushrooming across estates. Workers, often the first victims in such disasters, continue to bear the brunt of regulatory failures.

County officials say the tragedies points out long-standing coordination gaps between departments responsible for approving building plans and those overseeing infrastructure development and compliance.

Under the new arrangement, the Nairobi City county’s mobility and works, and built environment and urban planning sectors will operate under a joint coordination pact co-chaired by mobility and works executive Ibrahim Auma and his built environment and urban planning counterpart Patrick Mbogo.

A 14-day technical review has been commissioned to map regulatory gaps and propose reforms aimed at sealing loopholes that allow developers to sidestep safety standards.

According to the National Construction Authority (NCA) 2019 report, Kenya recorded more than 80 building collapses between 2009 and 2019, resulting in more than 300 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

Nairobi accounts for a significant share of these incidents due to rapid urbanisation and high-rise developments.

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS, 2019 Population and Housing Census) shows Nairobi’s population stood at 4.4 million in the 2019 Census and is projected to surpass five million by 2027, intensifying demand for housing and commercial space.

The World Bank Kenya Urbanisation Review estimates that Kenya faces an annual housing deficit of about 200,000 units, with demand heavily concentrated in urban centres such as Nairobi.

Experts say this pressure often fuels rushed construction, illegal extensions and non-compliance with approved building plans.

Auma said the new partnership marks a shift towards a more robust checks-and-balances system in managing Nairobi’s growth.

“The strength of our city lies in how well we coordinate. Planners give direction, engineers give structure. When these arms move separately, the city faces safety risks. Together, we ensure functionality and public protection,” he said.

Under the reforms, Auma explained that a technical committee will synchronise project reviews, ensuring building approvals, road access, drainage systems and structural integrity standards are assessed holistically rather than in silos.

Legal teams from both sectors have also been directed to review existing regulatory frameworks to eliminate ambiguities that developers have previously exploited.

Mbogo said the alignment is not merely administrative but intended to streamline approvals while tightening enforcement.

“This is our opportunity to openly tackle existing challenges and develop practical solutions that streamline approvals and uphold the law,” he said.

“By bridging the gap between those who design the city and those who build its roads and bridges, the county government is moving to ensure every new development is as safe as it is functional.”

The NCA compliance reports has in past audits flagged non-compliance rates in some urban projects, with developers either failing to register projects or deviating from approval plans.

Urban planning experts argue that enforcement remains Nairobi’s weakest link. While Kenya’s Building Code and Physical and Land Use Planning Act provide clear standards, inconsistent inspections and political interference have undermined implementation.