No Charlatans in Kenya’s Construction Industry, PS Arumonyang Vows
NCA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Eng. Maurice Aketch
By John Kariuki
MOMBASA – The State Department for Public Works has drawn a firm line in the sand, declaring that only registered and qualified professionals will be permitted to operate in Kenya’s construction industry. Principal Secretary Joel Arumonyang told the Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works that the government is determined to rid the sector of quacks and rogue developers whose negligence has cost lives through collapsing buildings.
Appearing before the Committee in Mombasa, Arumonyang said the proposed National Construction (Amendment) Bill, 2025 will tighten regulations under the National Construction Authority (NCA) Act, Cap 118. The reforms aim to make the sector more environmentally friendly, climate-resilient, and accountable, while expanding the NCA’s mandate to enforce compliance.
Vice Chairperson Rindikiri Mugambi pressed the Department to explain the causes of building failures. In response, NCA Chief Executive Officer Eng. Maurice Aketch pointed to substandard materials, poor workmanship, and weak reinforcement as the primary culprits. He stressed that developers often bypass consultants such as architects, engineers, and quantity surveyors, undermining structural integrity and safety. “Most developers skip consultants, yet they play a critical role in ensuring projects are built safely and according to approved plans,” Aketch said.
The Authority’s Head of Legal, Samson Lukoba, added that the Bill will define roles more clearly, from contractors to suppliers, and require applicants to demonstrate minimum technical qualifications, skills, and access to proper equipment. It will also regulate foreign entities operating in Kenya and introduce penalties for non-compliance.
PS Arumonyang lamented the lack of funding for research in architectural and quantity surveying practices, as well as limited support for modern technologies and building materials. He urged Parliament to allocate resources to strengthen compliance and innovation. Mugambi assured the Department of the Committee’s backing, promising to push for budgetary support in the next financial year. He also requested comprehensive data on building collapses to guide policy decisions.
The Committee concluded by urging the State Department for Public Works to collaborate with stakeholders across the built environment to ensure that tragedies caused by collapsing buildings are consigned to history.
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