Building Houses: How Cement Dealers Are Conning Customers

Transporting Cement
A lorry transporting a number of bags of cement on June 26, 2018.
Photo
Oyster Homes

Rogue dealers are hatching tricks to exploit customers as construction costs continue to rise, from the price of the materials and amount charged by contractors, designers and transporters. 

In a video shared widely, the conniving cement dealers and transporters were captured short-changing their clients. 

Concerned buyers weighed an ordinary 50 kilograms bag of cement and ascertained that it was short by seven kilograms.

The buyers placed several bags on the same weighing scale and were surprised as most of them were lesser than the kilograms prescribed by manufacturers.

A collage of an apartment block in Nairobi (left) and a mix of cement at a construction site (right)
A collage of an apartment block in Nairobi (left) and a mix of cement at a construction site (right)
Photo
Rent Kenya/Construction Kenya

"There is a cartel that operates in Syokimau, Mlolongo and Industrial Area, and the members made up of rogue drivers, have been stealing from cement buyers.

"Shockingly, a bag of cement that should be weighing 50Kgs from the factory is significantly reduced by the time the same bag of cement reaches the buyer," a whistleblower lamented. 

Cartels were alleged to collude with wholesalers to repackage the cement in other bags sold to unsuspecting clients. Kenyans.co.ke could not independently verify the existence of the godowns. 

"On their way to deliver the cement, the rogue driver normally makes a detour to a godown with machines, and that is where they perfectly open and steal part of the cement.  

"Once inside the godown, the rogue drivers normally fetch 5 to 10 kilograms of the cement, hence stealing from unsuspecting buyers," the whistleblower added. 

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Structural Engineering Paul Mwangangi, who works in Katani and Syokimau, warned that the tricks will affect the market and construction standards. 

Mwangangi noted some dealers are so daring that they may weigh the cement in front of the buyer, but then switch to a lighter bag when the buyer is unaware. 

According to Engineer Mwangangi, the tricks are well-known by those in the construction industry, and a professional contractor ought to notify a client. 

"There are instances when those transporting the cement to buyers may mix sand, locally known as vumbi with cement to make it appear that there is more cement in the bag," Mwangangi stated.

A photo collage of collapsed building at Kidfarmaco area in Kikuyu Constituency, Kiambu County.
A photo collage of collapsed building at Kidfarmaco area in Kikuyu Constituency, Kiambu County.
Photo
Henry Kabogo

He urged buyers and property owners to consult experts, and avoid assumptions, noting that some criminal acts are costly and dangerous.

"Some dealers also sell cement that has expired, which is not as strong and may not last as long. Others use fake bags that look like the real thing but are filled with sand or other materials. It is important to be aware of these tricks to protect yourself from being cheated," Mwangangi advised. 

On April 01, 2022, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) announced a review of standards for major construction materials to address perennial cases of collapsed buildings.  

KEBS stated that cement and other building materials would be issued with product certification ensuring manufacturing quality.

“All complying products are awarded the Standardization Mark for locally manufactured products, Diamond Mark of Quality and the Import standardization Mark for imported products,” Njiraini stated. 

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