Kindiki urges tighter building regulations following deadly structural collapses
By Aloys Michael, January 23, 2026Deputy President (DP) Kithure Kindiki has urged the country’s construction sector to raise its standards, warning that recent building collapses expose alarming lapses in safety and professional oversight.
Speaking on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the State House, Nairobi, Kindiki said such disasters not only cost lives but also stall the country’s progress, adding that all professionals and regulatory agencies, whether at the county or national level, must face consequences when their decisions compromise public safety.
“We need to make sure that the houses that are being built are safe in the long term for the people of Kenya. We must start thinking through how working with the professional bodies that regulate some of the professions that are in the built environment. Going forward, we must introduce and implement consequence management for professionals who, under their watch, make decisions that end up having the kind of situations we had two months ago,” the DP stated.
Kindiki’s plea comes amid concerns about the building in the country, with the Engineer Board of Kenya (EBK) reporting that over 80 per cent of structures are unsafe.
Moreover, Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) Coast Branch Chairperson Dancan Odhiambo revealed that the majority of buildings in the country fall short of professional standards.
Speaking to a local TV station on January 16, 2026, Odhiambo said unscrupulous developers often collude with county officials, exploiting weak enforcement mechanisms and widespread corruption.
“Research by the National Building Inspectorate done last year came up with a shocking revelation that 87 per cent of the buildings you see are not designed by professionals and are therefore unsafe. This shows a significant portion of buildings are at risk,” Odhiambo stated.
Collapsing buildings
For instance, on January 10, 2026, a building under construction opposite Karen Community Church along Ngong Road collapsed, killing at least two workers and injuring several others. Preliminary reports suggest the use of substandard materials and poor workmanship played a key role.
Preliminary investigations indicated that poor workmanship and substandard construction materials caused the tragedy that killed two people and injured seven others.
Earlier, a multi-storey building in South C also gave way, prompting urgent investigations into possible negligence and lapses in regulatory supervision.
However, amid a push back, Nairobi Governor dismissed the claims, pushing for the prosecutorial powers to tame the menace in the city.
The DP further said that accountability should apply across the board, stressing that professionalism carries responsibility.
“It must mean something for you to be a professional and under your watch, or through a decision you have taken to approve something, something happens that affects the safety and well-being of the people of Kenya,” he said.