Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on Kenya’s construction industry to uphold higher standards, stressing that recent building collapses reveal serious gaps in safety oversight and professional accountability.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, on Friday, Kindiki warned that such tragedies not only endanger lives but also hinder national development.
Kindiki highlighted 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…,” he stated.
On January 10, 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.
Earlier in the month, a multi-storey building in South C also gave way, prompting urgent investigations into possible negligence and lapses in regulatory supervision.
The Deputy President 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 added.
Adding weight to Kindiki’s concerns, 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.
He added that the figures were based on a sample from 2024, highlighting the persistent challenges in ensuring compliance with safety standards.
In addition, during the same event at State House, Kindiki spoke to 5,500 interns enrolled in the Affordable Housing Program, noting that the initiative equips young professionals with practical skills to improve construction quality.
He emphasised that the program not only provides a clear path to employment but also strengthens adherence to building standards, contributing to safer housing for Kenyans.
“We must work together to ensure that the mistakes that led to these collapses are not repeated,” Kindiki said, underscoring the link between proper training, professional oversight, and public safety.