Nairobi, Tue 22nd November 2022
Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson has called upon developers in the building sector to ensure they work closely with professionals within the built environment in obtaining approvals and supervision during construction.
It is a requirement of relevant sector-building laws that developers hire and retain the services of qualified and registered professionals to be involved in the project process from inception and during construction. These professionals include Urban Planners, Architects, Surveyors, and Structural Engineers.
Unscrupulous developers have been known to disengage from the service of key professionals, without notice, once approved by necessary authorities. This has in the past led to the loss of lives and property from buildings collapsing.
The Governor has cautioned that developers who do not observe standards, avoid involving professionals, and those found cutting corners will be charged in accordance with the law.
He was speaking when he met new members of the reconstituted Nairobi City County Urban Planning Technical Committee (UPTC) which has been reconstituted to facilitate the evaluation and consideration of applications for development permission submitted to the planning authority.
“Before anything is approved in this city it will be your responsibility to ensure standards are adhered to, we shall not allow illegal development in the city and private developers involved in illegalities will be prosecuted. We must visualize the Nairobi we want in the future and realize this vision, build the Nairobi we want,” he said.
“We know developers sometimes opt to let go of professionals after the approval process, cutting costs, we cannot accept this. As members of the committee, I call on you to ensure what is approved is what is built.”
He called on the public to raise the alarm against developers who continued to build even when buildings have been condemned by any government agency.
Last week a building in Kasarani collapsed killing three people and injuring others. Three county officers were indicted following the incident and their names were forwarded to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The officers were given ten days to respond, failure to which further stern disciplinary action would be taken against them.
On Monday Governor Sakaja met with his Kiambu counterpart Governor Kimani Wamatangi, Cabinet Secretary Zacharia Njeru, and other government officials. They agreed to revamp the multi-agency team on inspection and auditing of buildings.
Members of the Nairobi county UPTC include:-
- Brenda Nyawara – Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK)
- Eng. Jane Mutulili – Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK)
- Eng. Christine Ogut –Institution of Engineers in Kenya (IEK)
- John Maina Mwangi – Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK)
- Dr. Abdulmalik Tuesday Gichuki – Kenya Alliance of Resident Association (KARA)
- Racheal Kisiangani – Kenya Institute of Planners (KIP)
- Stanley Karaya Kimani – Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC)
- Margaret Njuki – National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
- S.G Mwangi – Nairobi County’s Chief Officer Lands, Housing & Urban Renewal, Urban Planning and Development
- Patrick Analo Akivaga – Nairobi County’s Ag. Chief Officer Urban Planning
- Dominic Mutegi – Nairobi County’s Director of Development Management
- Ruth Muroki – Nairobi County’s Director Urban Policy and Research
Other County representatives will include the heads and technical officers from Urban Planning, disaster management, roads, public health, lands, and survey.
Ends/…