By Caroline Katana
Kwale County residents have been sensitized on the newly gazetted National Building Code 2024, a landmark legal framework that officially came into effect in March 2025, replacing the outdated 1968 Building Code.
 The new code, which was gazetted in March 2024 and launched in July 2024, aims to align Kenya’s construction standards with international best practices, placing strong emphasis on safety, health, and regulatory compliance.
Speaking during a public awareness forum held at Kwale Golden Hotel, Quantity Surveyor Sagi Paul from the National Construction Authority (NCA) said the revised building code is a vital step toward ending decades of systemic weaknesses in Kenya’s construction industry.
 “This new code brings a new order in the construction industry—it’s enforceable, flexible in the use of materials, and meets international standards. Unlike the old code which was rigid and difficult to implement after the 2010 Constitution, the 2024 code is a unified framework that works seamlessly with the current governance structure,” said Paul.
Why the Change Was Urgent
Paul emphasized that the 1968 Building Code became obsolete with the promulgation of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, as it was anchored in the Local Government Act, which was rendered void.Â
The resulting legal vacuum left enforcement fragmented and contributed to the increase in substandard constructions across the country.
A quantitative surveyor at National Construction Authority, Sagi Paul
Collapsed Buildings: A Grim Wake-Up Call
Over the past five years, Kenya has witnessed over 87 building collapses, according to data from the National Construction Authority and the Kenya Red Cross.
These tragedies have claimed at least 200 lives and left more than 1,000 people injured or homeless.
In 2022 alone, the collapse of a 7-storey building in Kiambu County killed six people. In 2023, another incident in Kasarani, Nairobi, claimed three lives and injured dozens. Experts have consistently attributed such disasters to non-compliance with building standards, use of fake materials, and unqualified personnel in construction.
“This code will help eliminate fake and unqualified engineers, as well as protect Kenyans from being sold substandard building materials at inflated prices,” Paul added.
A Shared African Crisis
Kenya is not alone. Across Africa, building collapses have become increasingly common due to weak regulatory frameworks and corruption in construction approvals.
In Nigeria, at least 152 building collapses were recorded between 2015 and 2023, resulting in more than 600 deaths.
 Similar issues plague Ghana, Uganda, and South Africa, where urbanization is outpacing regulatory enforcement.
Multi-Stakeholder Approach
The new code integrates regulations from multiple agencies beyond the NCA, including county governments, NEMA, WARMA, KENHA, and KURA, especially for developments near water bodies, highways, and urban centers.
 “The construction process must adhere to various applicable laws—it’s not just about NCA approvals. We now have clear coordination mechanisms that ensure every building project follows environmental, infrastructural, and safety standards,” said Mr. Paul.
Community Empowerment
The Kwale forum brought together over 300 participants, including engineers, architects, planners, local leaders, and community members.Â
Organizers emphasized that public education is critical to ensuring that the code benefits ordinary citizens, especially those vulnerable to exploitation by rogue contractors.
“We want this information to go deeper into the community. Locals must know their rights and how to identify certified professionals,” Paul.
The Building Code 2024 is being hailed as a milestone in reforming Kenya’s construction industry, with hopes that it will significantly reduce preventable deaths, financial losses, and displacement caused by faulty constructions.
Its success, however, will depend on consistent enforcement, political goodwill, and public awareness.
