The Rise of Apartment Collapses in Nairobi: What's Causing It and How to Stay Safe as a Ten

The past few years have witnessed a disturbing trend in Nairobi, where apartment collapses have left people homeless, injured, or even dead. Rapid urbanization with no oversight, coupled with increasing demand for affordable housing in the city, has conspired towards a deadly storm of unsafe building practices. But what are the root causes of these building failures, and how does a prospective tenant protect oneself from such risks?

Causes Behind the Collapses

Poor Construction Materials
One of the recurring problems related to collapsing buildings in Nairobi has been the use of substandard building material. Many of the contractors were found using low-quality material with the intention of saving on the costs. For instance, the building sand was adulterated with soil and other impurities, while low-quality cement was used instead of high-quality cement. These cost-cutting measures directly affect the strength of the key structural members like beams, columns, and foundations​
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Poor workmanship and failure to adhere to building codes
Another big issue is poor workmanship; the demand for housing makes some contractors rush through the job by bypassing essential processes like curing concrete. Most of the buildings require days to acquire strength in the concrete, but in most instances, the contractor does not give enough time, hence weakened structures which are prone to failure​
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While proper adherence to certain processes is required by the building code of Nairobi, it is still plagued by weak regulation. Though the National Construction Authority operates to ensure that all buildings comply with set regulations, the authority is weak in enforcement. Most buildings go up without sufficient inspection, and for those that get checked, most of them do not meet the required standards​.

Building on Shifting Sands
Later, it was discovered that some of the collapsed apartments were constructed on unsuitable land, such as swampy areas and near rivers. For instance, there was an evacuation of an apartment in South B, Nairobi, which started showing signs of structural weakness because it was constructed on unstable grounds​.
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Buildings constructed on such soil types require deep, well-reinforced foundations, but developers often neglect these measures to save on costs.

Poor Design and Supervision
This is partly because of inappropriate architectural and structural design, coupled with poor supervision during construction. For this reason, buildings have to be designed to bear not only the weight from themselves but also that from environmental factors such as wind and rain. In the absence of appropriate supervision, the contractors may not stick to the designs as specified, hence weakening the integrity of the structure.

How Tenants Can Stay Vigilant

It's not all doom; there are ways you could avoid living in a structurally unsound building as a prospective tenant.
Application for Building Sanctions

·        Before signing the lease, seek from the building's owner the approval documents of said building. Ensure the building is within the confines of the regulation requirements and has gone through any safety checks. The National Construction Authority provides certifications that a building is safe, and as a tenant, you are entitled to seeing this.
Look for visible structural damage

When looking at a prospective apartment, take the time to look for visible warning signs that the construction may not be up to par. Visible cracks in walls, undulating floors, and badly fitted doors or windows are often signs of something structurally amiss. If you find these, it may be best to play it safe and look elsewhere.

Check the Building's History

·        Learn about the building's history. If at all possible, speak with current residents about how things have gone. Have there been recent repairs? Was it built in a very short amount of time? Buildings that were rushed to completion are more likely to have structural problems.
Engage Reputable Developers and Contractors

 Do your homework on the developer and contractor building the house. Those that have records of safe and quality construction tend to cut fewer corners. Word of mouth and online reviews are some of the best ways to determine a contractor's reputation

Contractor Errors and How Landlords Can Choose Wisely
Landlords bear the heavy responsibility of selecting capable and reliable contractors. A wrong decision on hiring a contractor may lead to building collapses, financial losses, and even loss of life. Here's how landlords can avoid these pitfalls:
1.Hire Qualified Professionals
Landlords are advised to ensure they employ only certified and experienced professionals. For example, contractors should be listed by the National Construction Authority with a good record of successfully completed and safe projects. This simple background check on the portfolio and certification of the contractor can prevent disasters in the future.
2.Insist on regular site supervision.
It’s crucial that construction sites are supervised by qualified engineers. Engineers should be involved at every step of the building process, from design to completion, ensuring that construction adheres to both the approved plans and safety regulations. Ensure Proper Documentation The landlord should maintain all the records associated with the building, regarding architectural and structural designs, approvals, and inspection reports. This maintains a record of every phase of the construction having been documented and appropriately inspected. Invest in quality materials. The temptation of cutting costs is very high, with the competitive housing market in Nairobi, but quality materials are key to the longevity of the building. For landlords, durability and safety should be prioritized over savings by investing in the best materials available.

  Conclusion: The fallen apartments in Nairobi are tragic but avoidable tragedies that result from poor building practices, inadequate regulation, and the general rush to house people in this fast-growing city. Yet both landlords and tenants can take active roles to make sure safety is ensured. For that to happen, tenants should always remain watchful during home selection, while landlords should ensure safety, proper supervision, and quality materials in construction projects. By taking these steps, Nairobi’s housing sector can avoid more tragic incidents in the future.

  By Rentnasi

     Alan