The National Construction Authority (NCA) has urged members of the public, particularly those living in the Westlands area of Nairobi, to exercise vigilance after a 13-storey building developed visible cracks on the walls.
The high-rise building, which is still under construction and located along Peponi Road, is at risk of collapsing after it developed structural failure, according to NCA.
In a statement on Wednesday, December 17, the Authority revealed that a quality assurance team had already been dispatched to the scene for compliance checks.
This is after NCA received reports of the building's structural failure on Monday, December 15, prompting a swift response from the officers.
"NCA wishes to inform the public of a structural failure that has occurred at a proposed residential development located along Peponi Road, Westlands, Nairobi," the Authority announced.
According to the agency, the development exhibited cracks, and upon confirmation, all construction works were immediately suspended, and the site has since been cordoned off.
Following the preliminary investigation, the area surrounding the site is currently under the control of the Nairobi National Disaster Management Unit and the National Police Service (NPS).
As a precautionary safety measure, neighbouring occupants have since been alerted and advised to temporarily vacate, pending further technical assessments.
Additionally, a special committee has been established and is actively undertaking a detailed technical assessment to determine the structural integrity of the building.
The multi-agency committee is expected to provide further guidance on whether the building can be safely salvaged or requires controlled demolition.
"The Authority assures the public that safety remains our highest priority. No further construction activities will be permitted on the site until the ongoing investigations are concluded," NCA stated.
Adding, "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."
