Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
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Nairobi – Traders and businessmen operating along the Kenneth Matiba Road (formerly Accra Road) have raised concerns over the ongoing construction of a 13-storey building around their premises.
The KSh 400 million building is sandwiched between older buildings, with two of its floors occupied; even as traders complain the contractor has not put in place necessary safety measures to protect the public from any danger.
The traders also want the planning department at the Nairobi City County Government and the National Construction Authority to properly survey the construction, which they fear has not adhered to requisite guidelines and regulations.
“We want professional engineers from the county and relevant authorities like the National Construction Authority to come and tell us if we are safe,” said Anthony Kimani, who runs a Hotel near the building.
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Henry Mageka, who is an Embassava Sacco Matatu driver, said;
“We are worried every time we pass by here and the majority of us feel the building is endangering our lives.”
Nairobi MCAs who visited the place following public complaints promised to follow up with the matter.
When contacted, the Nairobi Urban Planning department said the developer had been issued a notice to stop any development until he is issued a compliance certificate.
A stay order issued on 1st April 2025 shows the county identified the construction as a non-compliant development.
The project did not meet the requirements of the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, Act 2019, with the developer having been required to stay the development until he is compliant.
“You are hereby required to immediately stay the development and submit the required information to the Director Planning Compliance and Enforcement within fourteen day from the time of this notice,” the notice read
However, the developer seems to have defied the order and has surged on with the construction, putting the lives of the traders and Matatu operators around it in danger.
Findings from the National Construction Authority indicate that thousands of unapproved buildings in Nairobi are at risk of collapse.
More to follow…
Source: TUKO.co.ke
