The Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) has announced the suspension of all construction activities at a 14-storey residential development in Nairobi’s Westlands following a partial structural failure at the site, as investigations reveal serious breaches of engineering regulations.
In a public statement dated December 17, 2025, the Board said the incident occurred at a construction site on Plot LR No. 1870/M/165 along Ndonyo Sabuk Avenue, off Peponi Road.
The project comprises a 14-floor residential building with three basement levels. EBK said the failure involved the partial collapse of two shear walls.
The Board, working jointly with the National Construction Authority (NCA), the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS), the Nairobi City County Government, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the National Police Service (NPS), the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU), the National Youth Service (NYS) and other agencies under the Multi-Sectoral Agency Consultative Committee (M-SACC), visited the site on December 16, 2025 to assess the situation.
Preliminary findings indicate that construction began in September 2024 and initially had the required statutory approvals, including a duly registered engineer on record.
However, investigations established that at the time of the partial collapse, the person supervising structural works on site, assisted by two others, was not registered with the Engineers Board of Kenya, contrary to the Engineers Act.
EBK further found that unauthorized design changes were implemented on site by unregistered persons.
The Board said these alterations may have contributed directly to the partial structural failure.
Investigators also established a lack of professional supervision, noting there was no record of the appointed engineer-on-record providing statutory supervision or approving the structural changes prior to the incident.
As a result, EBK has ordered the suspension of all engineering works at the site, except for emergency interventions aimed at ensuring safety.
The Board has also commenced formal investigation proceedings into the conduct of individuals who were offering professional engineering services at the site without proper registration.
EBK reiterated that practicing engineering without registration is illegal and warned that enforcement action will be taken against all culpable parties in accordance with the law.
The Board urged developers, contractors and project owners to strictly comply with engineering laws, emphasizing that only registered and licensed professional engineers should be engaged for design and supervision works.
EBK reminded the public that the registration status of engineers can be verified through its official website.
EBK said the measures taken are aimed at safeguarding public safety, enforcing accountability and upholding professionalism within Kenya’s construction and engineering sector.
