The National Construction Authority (NCA) has issued a warning to developers, contractors, and the public to strictly follow approved building standards amid a surge in fatal construction incidents.

In a statement on Friday, March 20, 2026, NCA Executive Director Engineer Maurice Akech urged all stakeholders to comply with structural and safety regulations to help prevent further building collapses in recent months.

The authority emphasised the importance of adhering to approved structural designs, ensuring proper installation and supervision of formwork during concrete works, and maintaining continuous on-site oversight by licensed professionals.

 “The Authority takes this opportunity to reiterate the importance of the following: Strict adherence to approved structural designs; proper design, installation, and supervision of formwork during concrete works; continuous on-site supervision by duly registered and licensed professionals,” NCA stated.

Proper demolition procedures

NCA also called for full compliance with all safety and regulatory requirements, including the National Building Code, 2024, and proper demolition procedures under qualified supervision.

Additionally, the NCA warned against developments in riparian reserves and stressed the need for adequate drainage systems and proper site planning to mitigate flood-related risks.

“Implementation of appropriate flood mitigation measures, including avoidance of development within riparian reserves, provision of adequate drainage systems, and compliance with approved site planning requirements, compliance with all safety and regulatory requirements, including the National Building Code, 2024,” NCA noted.

The authority further called for adherence to approved demolition procedures, ensuring that all demolition works are undertaken by registered contractors under the supervision of qualified professional consultants and with due regard to public safety.

Recent building collapse

The warning comes as the construction body confirmed investigations into the two recent separate building collapse incidents reported on March 18, 2026, in Westlands, Nairobi County, and Belgut Sub-County in Kericho County.

In Westlands, the collapse occurred at a construction site on School Lane during the casting of the 22nd floor slab, which gave way onto the 21st floor in what has been described as a partial structural failure.

“The Authority received reports of a building collapse at approximately 9:00 p.m. at a construction site located at the junction of School Lane and Matundu Close Roads on Plot No. 1870/111/583. The incident occurred during the casting of the 22nd floor slab, which collapsed onto the 21st floor slab. Preliminary findings indicate that the incident involved a partial structural failure, with the probable cause being formwork failure,” NCA noted.

In Kericho’s Kaptebeswet area, the authority noted that the incident occurred during the casting of a second-floor slab at a residential development, which collapsed shortly after concrete placement.

Ongoing investigations

According to NCA, early investigations suggest the collapse may have resulted from inadequate propping and insufficient structural reinforcement, leading to one death and three injuries.

The authority added that investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the collapses and assess whether construction regulations were properly followed.

“The multi-agency team on ground secured both sites pending further investigations, which will establish the full circumstances surrounding both incidents, determine accountability among all parties involved and assess compliance with construction regulations and professional standards,” NCA stated.