The National Construction Authority (NCA) is undertaking a base line survey in conjunction with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics on skills gap and locally-produced materials in the construction industry.
According to NCA executive director Daniel Manduku, the regulator is also doing a mapping and assessment of existing construction training institutions in the country.
The authority, which was established through the National Construction Authority Act and came into force in 2013, is charged with overseeing and regulating the construction industry, which includes registering contractors and other players.
So far, it has established offices in Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kitui, Eldoret, Isiolo, Garissa, Kakamega, Nyeri, Machakos and Kisii. It will soon launch its five-year strategic plan (2015-2020).
According to Manduku, 24,375 contractors have been registered. Those so far registered fall under mechanical, electrical, building and roads/water civil engineering. "The authority has also been able to accredit skilled construction workers numbering about 8,340 and site supervisors totalling about 1,164," he said
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The gazettment of NCA regulations on June 6, 2014 gave it the power to collect a 0.5 per cent levy on the total value of any project worth above Sh5 million. "All these is in line with ensuring quality assurance in the construction industry in reference to the code of conduct, which we are currently implementing," he said.
Manduku said that from last year to date, they have done almost 2,000 sting operations in which construction sites have been suspended until the developers comply with the NCA Act and regulations: "Since the beginning of the year, the authority's officers have visited Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kitui, Eldoret, Nyeri, Kisii and Migori counties."
He observed that they don't have the powers to prosecute but can issue a closure notice to a building. He said that they are currently collaborating with the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Inspector General of Police and the Chief Justice to strengthen the enforcement arm and operations of the authority.
Manduku said the authority would soon launch a five year strategic, 2015 to 2020.
