The Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) has cited suspected unregistered engineering practice and unauthorised design changes as possible factors in a partial structural failure at a residential construction site in Westlands, Nairobi.
In a statement, the Board said investigations are ongoing into the incident involving the high-rise residential development with multiple basement levels.
EBK said a multi-agency team comprising officials from the EBK, the National Construction Authority (NCA), the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS), Nairobi City County Government, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the National Police Service (NPS), the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU), the National Youth Service (NYS) and other agencies visited the site on December 16, 2025, to assess the situation.
According to preliminary findings, construction of the project commenced in September 2024 and had initially secured all requisite statutory approvals, including the engagement of a duly registered professional engineer.
However, EBK said investigations conducted following the partial failure of two shear walls revealed serious compliance concerns.
“The individual supervising the structural works on site, assisted by two others, is not registered with the Engineers Board of Kenya,” the Board said, noting that, if confirmed, this would constitute unauthorised engineering practice under the Engineers Act (Cap 530).
The Board further indicated that preliminary investigations established that certain design changes were implemented on site by unregistered persons and without documented approval from the engineer on record.
“These unauthorised design changes may have contributed to the partial structural failure observed at the site,” EBK said, while emphasising that investigations are still ongoing.
EBK also cited apparent gaps in professional supervision, saying there was no evidence at the time of inspection to show that the appointed engineer on record had provided the mandatory statutory supervision or formally approved the structural alterations prior to the incident.
Following the preliminary findings, the Board directed that all engineering works at the site, except for essential emergency safety interventions, remain suspended.
“The Board has commenced formal investigation proceedings into the conduct of individuals alleged to have been offering professional engineering services at the site,” EBK said.
EBK Registrar and CEO Margaret Ogai said public safety remains the Board’s foremost priority and cautioned developers and contractors against circumventing professional regulations.
“Compliance with engineering laws is not optional. It is a legal requirement to engage only registered and licensed professional engineers for the design and supervision of construction works,” Ogai said.
She urged developers and members of the public to verify the registration status of engineers before engagement, noting that the information is publicly accessible on the EBK website.
The National Construction Authority (NCA) confirmed earlier in the day that it had suspended all works at the site following reports of structural failure.
In a statement, NCA said preliminary assessments confirmed indicators of structural distress at the development, which was under construction and designed to comprise multiple basement levels and several suspended floors.
“Upon confirmation of the incident, all construction works were immediately halted, and the site cordoned off as a precautionary measure to safeguard public safety,” the Authority said.
The surrounding area has since been secured by the National Disaster Management Unit in collaboration with the National Police Service.
As an additional safety measure, occupants of neighbouring properties have been alerted and advised to temporarily vacate the area pending further technical assessments.
