The National Construction Authority (NCA) has raised concerns over possible safety lapses following two separate construction site collapses in Nairobi and Kericho counties that left at least two people dead and several others injured.
In a statement, the Authority indicated that preliminary investigations point to structural and procedural failures as likely causes of the incidents, both of which occurred during critical phases of slab casting.
The first collapse occurred at a high-rise development in Westlands, Nairobi, at around 9 pm, when a 22nd floor slab gave way and crashed onto the 21st floor below.
The project, identified as the proposed School Lane Apartments, is being undertaken by Canaan Developers Limited.
“The incident occurred during the casting of the 22nd floor slab, which collapsed onto the 21st floor slab,” the NCA said, adding that early findings suggest a partial structural failure, most likely linked to formwork failure.
The accident claimed one life and left another worker injured, underscoring the risks associated with high-rise construction where strict adherence to engineering standards is critical.
In a similar incident earlier the same day in Kaptebeswet area of Belgut Sub-County, Kericho County, a second-floor slab collapsed shortly after concrete placement at a residential construction site. The project was being executed by Flatmas Enterprises.
According to the Authority, the Kericho incident may have resulted from inadequate propping and insufficient reinforcement.
“The collapse may have been caused by inadequate propping and insufficient structural reinforcement,” the NCA stated.
The incident left one person dead and three others injured, all of whom were taken to Kericho County Referral Hospital for treatment.
The back-to-back collapses have now put the spotlight on compliance with construction standards, with the NCA warning contractors and developers against cutting corners.
The Authority emphasised that all projects must strictly follow approved structural designs and ensure proper supervision during key stages such as concrete works.
“Strict adherence to approved structural designs and proper installation and supervision of formwork during concrete works is critical,” the statement said.
A multi-agency team comprising the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU), county authorities, the Kenya Red Cross, and other emergency responders has since secured both sites as investigations continue.
The probe is expected to establish the full circumstances of the collapses and determine accountability.
“The multi-agency team on ground secured both sites pending further investigations, which will establish the full circumstances and assess compliance with construction regulations and professional standards,” the NCA noted.
The Authority also issued a broader advisory to industry players, urging the engagement of licensed professionals and contractors, continuous on-site supervision, and compliance with safety and regulatory frameworks, including the National Building Code.
The incidents highlight recurring safety challenges in Kenya’s construction sector, where rapid urban development has sometimes outpaced regulatory enforcement.
The NCA extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a quick recovery, reaffirming its commitment to enforcing standards and preventing similar tragedies in the future.
