The collapse of a building under construction in Nairobi’s South C area was not an accident but the predictable outcome of systemic failure, professional negligence and regulatory breakdowns, says The Architects Alliance (TAA).
In a strongly worded statement issued by Arch. Sylvia Kasanga, TAA dismissed suggestions that the collapse was a random or unavoidable occurrence, arguing instead that it resulted from a chain of deliberate omissions and violations by multiple actors within Kenya’s construction sector. The alliance maintained that similar tragedies will continue to occur unless accountability is enforced across the entire development and approval process.
TAA cited non-compliance with approved designs and construction standards as a key cause of the collapse. According to the architects’ body, buildings frequently undergo unauthorized design changes during construction, often without the involvement or knowledge of registered professionals. These alterations, TAA noted, compromise structural integrity and significantly increase the risk of failure.
The alliance also faulted weak regulatory oversight, indicting the National Construction Authority (NCA) for failing to effectively enforce compliance on site. TAA argued that routine inspections are either inadequate or treated as a formality, allowing unsafe practices, substandard materials and unqualified personnel to operate unchecked.
Nairobi County Government was similarly blamed for enforcement failures, with TAA questioning how a project that allegedly deviated from approved plans was allowed to proceed. The alliance raised concerns over gaps in the county’s development control, inspection and approval systems, which it said continue to expose the public to avoidable risks.
TAA did not spare The Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) either, highlighting the persistent problem of unregistered and unqualified individuals undertaking professional roles. The alliance noted that despite the existence of regulatory frameworks, enforcement against quack practitioners remains weak, undermining professional accountability in the sector.
Developers and contractors were equally blamed for prioritizing speed and profit over safety. TAA observed that cost-cutting measures, including bypassing registered professionals and ignoring technical advice, have become common practice, with disastrous consequences when structures ultimately fail.
The Architects Alliance called for thorough investigations and prosecutions of all parties found culpable, stressing that accountability should extend beyond site workers to include developers, approving authorities and professionals who abdicate their responsibilities.
