Standards bureau, DCI and DPP in trouble over collapsed buildings

The DCI and the DPP are on the spot for failing to prosecute rogue private developers and unscrupulous contractors linked to the rampant collapse of buildings.

Representatives of state agencies at the Public Works department on Tuesday told MPs they are frustrated by inaction on the part of the investigative and prosecution agencies.

They also raised concerns that the Kenya Bureau of Standards could be permitting the sale of substandard goods used in construction works - cement and metals used to reinforce beams.

Led by Works Secretary Alphonse Okweto, the construction regulators said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had yet to take action against culprits linked to collapsed buildings.

Okweto further sought that the Kebs review standards of materials used in construction to check for quality.

“Some ingredients may not be in the cement we have. Even the width of D12 is not to 12mm like was Y12. Kebs must be allowing low quality. There is a need to ask why the price of items like cement is low,” Okweto said.

He said buildings collapse is due to poor workmanship, shortcut by contractors, use of substandard material, and inadequate structural design.

“Some owners change specifications after approval,” Okweto said.

This was even as the Committee on Transport chaired by Pokot South MP David Pkosing revealed that at least 21 people have been killed in collapsed buildings in the past six months.

The deliberations revealed that there was a lack of coordination between the Council of Governors, the Engineers Board of Kenya, the Ministry of Housing, and the National Construction Authority.

“The problem is that the agencies are working in silos. Some agencies don’t conduct inspections in good time. This is a weighty matter. We will review the report of our study and give proper recommendations in 14 days,” Pkosing said.

He hailed efforts by NCA to stem cases of buildings collapse saying DCI boss George Kinoti and the Council of Governors Housing committee chairperson would be invited to give their views on the matter.

“Since governors are the first to approve construction permits, they should share the approvals with the relevant agencies for adequate follow-up,” Pkosing said.

The MPs further said they were concerned about the capacity of the agencies to regulate and ensure contractors adhere to rules and regulations.

Mwingi Central MP Gideon Mulyungi decried that county governments don’t approve most of the construction works.

Kipkelion West MP Hillary Kosgey said, “There is a coordination problem and negligence by county governments.

“Like was in the case in Kisumu at the referral hospital, how can a county government ignore NCA? There is a problem. Most buildings are not approved. Where is the problem?”

EBK CEO Margaret Ogai told MPs that the board is seized of the concerns about the lack of coordination adding that the laxity is at the stage of supervision.

“Building approvals are made at the counties. Laxity is at the stage of supervision. We have also found cases of forgery of certificates. We have come together to close operational gaps,” Ogai said.

“There are gaps and have started engagements. We are going to take up the issues raised by members.”

Okweto, on coordination, said all agencies involved in public works are copied communications regarding a project.

NCA director of compliance Maurice Aketch said, “We have started a collaboration to ensure safety and quality of buildings. During approval, we ensure the experts are duly certified.

“The current system is silo-based. We are working on an integrated construction info system.” 

Acting CoG chief executive Mary Mwiti said, “Time has come for us to engage one another. Public institutions have to work in the common interest of serving Kenyans.” 

Edited by Kiilu Damaris