NAIROBI, KENYA – The Kenyan government has initiated a comprehensive overhaul of its construction industry regulations, mandating formal accreditation for agencies involved in building and construction. This move, driven by the National Construction Authority (NCA) and the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS), is a direct response to the persistent and tragic problem of building collapses across the country. The new framework, underpinned by the recently implemented National Building Code 2024, seeks to professionalise the sector and restore public confidence by ensuring all players adhere to strict safety and quality benchmarks.

The policy shift comes at a critical time for Kenya. Rapid urbanisation and ambitious government projects, including the Affordable Housing Programme, have fuelled a construction boom. However, this growth has been dangerously undermined by regulatory gaps and non-compliance. According to a December 2024 report by the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), a nationwide audit by the National Building Inspectorate (NBI) found 288 buildings failed safety tests in the 2023/24 financial year. Of the 1,333 buildings audited, 42 were deemed dangerous and 246 were classified as unsafe. Research from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KIPPRA) indicates that between 2009 and 2019, 86 buildings collapsed, causing an estimated 200 fatalities. Poor workmanship and the use of substandard materials were cited as the primary causes.

A New Era of Accountability

Under the new regulations, which replace the outdated 1968 bylaws, conformity assessment bodies—including materials testing laboratories, inspection agencies, and certification firms—must receive accreditation from KENAS. KENAS, as the sole national accreditation body, will assess these organisations against international standards, such as ISO/IEC 17020, to verify their technical competence, resources, and quality management systems. This ensures that any building approvals, material certifications, or site inspections are conducted by verifiably qualified entities.

Speaking on the reforms, Alice Wahome, the Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development, emphasised the government's zero-tolerance stance on non-compliance. "We have lost lives before, we have seen buildings coming down... We will prosecute if you have participated in the process of building that leads to loss of lives," Wahome stated during the launch of the new building code earlier in 2025. The government has warned that harsher penalties, including significant fines and prosecution, will be enforced against developers and contractors found violating the new standards.

Implications for Kenya's Built Environment

The mandatory accreditation is expected to have a ripple effect across the entire construction value chain. For developers and contractors, it means a higher burden of proof for compliance. They will be required to engage accredited firms for material testing and site inspections, potentially increasing initial project costs but guaranteeing long-term structural integrity and public safety. The NCA has been conducting nationwide sensitisation forums to educate stakeholders on the new requirements.

The reforms are also designed to address systemic challenges, including the prevalence of rogue contractors and the circumvention of approval processes. By creating a transparent and accountable ecosystem, the government aims to weed out unqualified practitioners and ensure that only registered and competent professionals oversee construction projects. Public Works Principal Secretary Joel Arumonyang confirmed that the NCA has increased its capacity to evaluate the implementation of the new guidelines and will be introducing a public rating system to rank projects and contractors on safety and compliance.

While the new framework is a significant step forward, its success will depend on rigorous and consistent enforcement by both national and county governments. Addressing corruption, which has historically allowed contractors to bypass regulations, remains a critical challenge. However, by aligning with international best practices and empowering bodies like KENAS, Kenya is laying a more solid foundation for a safer and more sustainable built environment. The reforms signal a clear intent to move beyond reactive measures to proactively preventing future tragedies in the nation's rapidly growing cities.