The National Construction Authority (NCA) has issued a warning following a structural failure at a high-rise building under construction on Peponi Road in Westlands, Nairobi.
In a statement on Wednesday, December 17, NCA said authorities have since moved in to secure the area, alert neighbouring occupants, and begin a multi-agency technical assessment to determine the extent of the damage and whether the structure can be salvaged or will require demolition.
The NCA said the incident involves a proposed residential development located along Peponi Road in Westlands, Nairobi.
“The National Construction Authority (NCA wishes to inform the public of a structural failure that has occurred at a proposed residential development located on L.R. No. NAIROBI BLOCK/179 [Original L.R. No. 1870/11/165) along Peponi Road, Westlands, Nairobi,” the statement read.
According to NCA, the building was still under construction and had been designed to include multiple basement and suspended floors before the failure was detected, prompting immediate safety measures.
“The development, which is under construction and designed to comprise three (3) basement levels and thirteen (13) suspended floors, exhibited signs of structural failure. Upon confirmation of the incident, all construction works were immediately suspended, and the site was cordoned off to safeguard the public.
“The project was registered by NCA on 27th September, 2024 under reg. number 53127415710979. The contractor to the project is Meraki Universal Building Limited of Reg. Number 76615/B/0722. The Architect is Arch. Peter Kamau Mwangi of Reg. No. A1681 and the structural Eng. Is Eng. Samuel Maina Wairimu of Reg. No. A3127,” the statement continued.
NCA said security around the affected area has been reinforced, with disaster response and law enforcement agencies taking control of the site while nearby residents have been advised to vacate temporarily.
“The area surrounding the site is currently under the control of the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) and the National Police Service. As a precautionary safety measure, neighbouring occupants have been alerted and advised to temporarily vacate, pending further technical assessments,” the statement added.
To address the incident, the government has formed a multi-agency committee tasked with carrying out a comprehensive structural assessment of the building.
NCA outlined the composition of the committee, noting it brings together several regulatory, technical, and emergency response agencies.
“A Multi-Sectoral Agencies Coordinating Committee (MSACC) has been constituted and is actively undertaking a detailed technical assessment to determine the structural integrity of the building and establish whether the structure can be safely salvaged or requires controlled demolition.
“The committee comprises officers from the National Construction Authority (NCA), Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Nairobi City County Government, National Youth Service (NYS), National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU), National Buildings Inspectorate (NBI) and the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO),” the statement further read.
The NCA noted that construction at the site will remain halted until investigations are complete and safety recommendations are fully implemented.
“The Authority assures the public that public safety remains our highest priority. No further construction activities will be permitted on the site until the ongoing investigations are concluded and appropriate recommendations implemented,” the statement stated.
Members of the public have been urged to avoid the area and to seek information only from official government channels as the situation develops.
“The public is advised to keep away from the affected area and to rely only on official communication from the National Construction Authority and other relevant government agencies. Further updates will be issued as more information becomes available,” the statement concluded.
