Engineers Board of Kenya flags safety breach after Westlands building structural failure
The Engineers Board of Kenya has linked a partial structural failure at a 14-storey Westlands building to unregistered personnel and unauthorised design changes, warning Nairobi developers to hire only registered engineers.
The Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) has urged all developers and contractors to comply with engineering laws and hire only registered professional engineers. This follows a partial structural failure at a 14-storey residential building along Ndonyo Sabuk Avenue, off Peponi Road, in Westlands, Nairobi.
Preliminary investigations suggest the failure may have been caused by unauthorised design changes and supervision by personnel not registered with EBK.
More To Read
Investigators indicate that construction of the project began in September 2024, with all necessary approvals in place, including the appointment of a duly registered engineer. However, two shear walls at the site partially failed, raising serious concerns over compliance and safety standards.
The on-site supervision of structural works was carried out by a person assisted by two others who were not registered with the Engineers Board of Kenya, in violation of sections 32(1), 45(1)(c) & (d), 49(1)(2)(3), and 51 of the Engineers Act (Cap 530).
“The person supervising the structural works on-site, with the help of two others, is not registered with the Engineers Board of Kenya. Under the Engineers Act, practising engineering without proper registration is strictly prohibited,” said EBK Registrar/CEO Eng. Margaret Ogai in a statement.
Unauthorised changes, lack of supervision
EBK further found that unauthorised design changes were implemented on site by unregistered personnel, which may have contributed to the partial structural failure. The appointed engineer-on-record did not provide the required statutory supervision or approvals for these changes before the incident.
The board stressed that all project owners, contractors, and developers must comply with engineering laws to ensure construction safety. Hiring only registered and licensed professional engineers for design and supervision is not only best practice but also a legal requirement.
“The EBK reminds all project owners, contractors, and developers that adherence to engineering laws is essential for site safety,” said Ogai. “It is a legal requirement to hire only registered and licensed Professional Engineers for the design and supervision of all works,” she added.
Owners and contractors can verify the registration status of any engineer on the EBK website, helping prevent unqualified personnel from overseeing critical structural work.
Multi-agency site assessment
On 16 December 2025, EBK, together with agencies forming the Multi-Sectoral Agency Consultative Committee (M-SACC), visited the site to assess the situation.
The team included representatives from the National Construction Authority (NCA), Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS), Nairobi City County Government, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), National Police Service (NPS), National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU), and National Youth Service (NYS).
EBK has now commenced formal investigation proceedings into the conduct of the unregistered personnel involved. The findings will inform any legal or regulatory action required to uphold engineering standards and prevent future incidents.
Top Stories Today
