Building contractors found responsible for putting up unsafe structures could face tougher scrutiny after MPs demanded that the National Construction Authority account for its response to the growing number of building collapses.
The National Assembly Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works questioned NCA Acting Chief Executive Officer Susan Rutto on the measures taken against contractors and developers whose work has been linked to structural failures.
Committee Vice-Chair Rindikiri Mugambi said the Authority needed to move beyond giving general explanations and provide clear details on the action taken against those responsible.
“We have so many questions from MPs on collapsed buildings. What we expected you to address is the causes and the action taken. Please give us specific answers and specific actions taken against the contractors, including how many have been prosecuted,” he said.
The NCA told the committee that more than 100 building collapses have been recorded over the past three decades.
According to the Authority, some of the main reasons behind the failures include failure to follow building standards, inadequate supervision by professionals, poor workmanship and the use of substandard construction materials.
The NCA said it has so far carried out 93 formal inquiries into structural failures.
It added that contractors found to have been negligent have faced different forms of punishment, including warnings, suspension and de-registration. Where the matter involves professional misconduct, the cases are referred to the relevant regulatory bodies for action.
Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris sought clarification on the division of responsibilities between the NCA and county governments, particularly because counties are often blamed when buildings collapse.
“Whenever we have a collapsed building, the public and everyone looks to the county. What is the role of NCA and what is the link between the counties and NCA?” she posed.
The committee also questioned the presence of unqualified workers in the construction industry and called for more training for artisans involved in building works.
Innocent Obiri said workers handling construction tasks should have the necessary skills to help improve safety standards.
“We need to train the people who mix cement and the artisans so that they are skilled to stop the collapse of buildings,” Innocent Obiri said.
The NCA told MPs that some developers disengage registered professionals and contractors after obtaining initial approvals, a practice the Authority said has contributed to some building failures.
It has proposed changes to the law that would place direct responsibility on developers to ensure construction remains in line with approved designs and required standards.
The Authority also wants stronger controls on suppliers of construction materials to address the use of poor-quality products in building projects.
The NCA said it is working with the National Police Service (NPS) to enforce suspension and closure orders issued against contractors and construction sites.
The Authority will now be required to present the committee with a comprehensive report on the 93 inquiries. The report is expected to include details of casualties, enforcement measures taken and the current status of prosecutions.