52 per cent of buildings in Nairobi are faulty, ministry says

ICT Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i delivers a speech during the opening of ICT Week on 11/05/2015 at a Nairobi Hotel [PHOTO/DAVID NJAAGA/STANDARD]

Over 50 per cent of buildings audited in Nairobi are faulty, the Lands ministry has said.

Acting Lands Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i said 52 per cent of the structures already inspected have defects which need rectification or demolition.

Dr Matiang'i said those found living in "extremely dangerous" buildings have been evacuated. He said most of the buildings were constructed on restricted areas like road reserves, and some have been declaring illegal by the courts.

"These include areas like Kahawa West, Zimmerman, Huruma, Mathare North and Kisii," he said.

He advised developers, who have been issued with demolition notices, to do so before the Government demolishes the buildings.

This year alone, seven buildings have collapsed leading to loss of several lives. The recent case was in Ryosambu along Thika Road where seven people were killing.

President Uhuru Kenyatta had then ordered an audit of all property in the capital.

Matiang'i blamed the situation to incompetence, corruption, unprofessional practices and lack of capacity in the construction sector.

A detailed audit report will be made public soon.  Matiang'i promised that officials involved in the mess will be held to account. He was addressing a forum in Nairobi on measures to curb the collapsing of building in the country. It was attended by professionals in the industry and country governments.