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Permanent Secretary for Public Works Joel Arumonyang has urged the Senate to fast-track the passing of the Built Environment Bill to regulate the construction industry.

The PS said there are so many gaps in the sector which has seen a lot of substandard buildings being set up.

Speaking in Murang’a town when he toured the site where a four storey building collapsed, Arumonyang said the bill will issue clear guidelines on the construction of buildings to ensure they are up to the required standards and quality thus making them safe for the occupants.

“We are engaging the Senate and the National Assembly on this bill and we hope they will pass it as soon as possible for it to be enacted into law,” he said.

The PS said various agencies among them the National Construction Authority (NCA), National Building Inspectorate (NBI) and the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) are working closely to ensure those in the construction industry follow the building code.

Maurice Aketch, the NCA Chief Executive Officer said the authority has launched investigations into the matter to establish what led to the collapse of the building.

He said the authority is keen to ensure all the buildings are compliant with the laid out guidelines on quality, standards and safety for the use of the occupants.

His counterpart from the NBI, Samuel Charagu said they intend to conduct an inspection on all the buildings in Murang’a county to establish if they are safe.