Nema enforces ban on building activities after 6 pm and on weekends

In response to the alarming rise in the collapse of buildings across the country, the National Environment Management Authority of Kenya (Nema) has commenced a crackdown to enforce construction regulations.

The authority has reiterated that no building activities are supposed to take place after 6 pm and during weekends.

On Thursday night, Nema officers conducted night surveillance within the capital city to check if developers were adhering to the rules at a time when several buildings had collapsed, leading to questions on the regulator's efficiency.

Last Sunday, a seven-storey building in Nairobi’s Kahawa West area collapsed.

The Nairobi County government said that occupants residing in adjacent buildings will also be evacuated as a precautionary procedure.

The National Construction Authority (NCA) said in a statement that the owner of the building had last week been given 14 days to provide a structural integrity report.

"The building had been condemned by the Multi-Sectoral Agency Consultative Committee on Wednesday and an enforcement order was issued for immediate evacuation," NCA Director Maurice Akech said.

As the rescue and recovery mission continued, residents blamed the county government for allowing the developer to risk people's lives by reinforcing the cracks in the building.

In addition to monitoring construction sites, Nema has also turned its attention to noise pollution complaints in various neighbourhoods. Working alongside the police, Nema inspected areas like Kilimani, Hurlingham, Westlands, and Upper Hill, all in Nairobi.

The agency reminded entertainment venues in residential zones to either turn off their music-amplifying equipment or soundproof their facilities, in line with the Noise and Excessive Vibration Pollution (Control) Regulations, 2009.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale earlier this week called for a nationwide crackdown on pollution, directing Nema to collaborate with law enforcers to tackle these issues effectively.

This initiative, Duale said, marks the beginning of an anti-pollution campaign spearheaded by the Nema in collaboration with the Nema Police Unit.

"I have directed Nema's Nairobi office to launch a major crackdown on pollution, targeting noise from clubs, night-time construction, improper waste disposal and air quality," Duale said.

The multi-agency operation aims to enforce stricter regulations across the country.

As part of this effort, CS Duale pointed out that clubs located in residential areas will no longer be allowed to operate unless they adhere to soundproofing and environmental laws.

"The era of impunity by club owners and private developers must end," he said.