Nairobi, Mombasa have highest number of illegal buildings

Demolition of Airgate Centre, formerly Taj Mall in Nairobi

MOMBASA, KENYA: The Government has noted with concern haphazard construction of buildings both in Nairobi and Mombasa Counties.

A national audit conducted by the government has revealed glaring inadequacies in the way some buildings have been put up for human habitation.

Principal Secretary in the State Department of Public Works, Housing and Infrastructure Prof Arch. Paul Maringa said that the two cities face serious threat of substandard houses.

''Many of these houses that have been audited are not fit for human habitation,'' he disclosed.

Already, the PS  said that a total of 12,185 houses in different parts of the country have been audited to ascertain their suitability for habitation.

''Out of the total number of houses audited, 57 which were condemned have been demolished and another 7,300 which have been put up on road reserves and railway reserves will also be brought down.

 ''This is a significantly huge number of houses and those involved in the initial planning of the houses from contractor , architects to physical planners ought to adhere strictly to set building codes.

He insisted that the government has been forced to carry out demolitions owing to the fact that the contractors failed to follow right procedures when putting up the building and thus endangering lives of those who live in them.

''Some have even gone ahead and grabbed public land on where they have put up the structures,'' the PS  who was accompanied by Mombasa County Commissioner, Evans Achoki said.