Errors That Led To Collapse Of Kisii Building, Killing 5
The collapse occurred while construction was still underway, catching workers and nearby residents off guard.
FaithAnne Mwaura 
The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) on Wednesday, April 9 released a damning statement following the tragic collapse of an unregistered building in Kisii County that claimed five lives and left several others injured.
According to IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme, a post-collapse investigation revealed that the building was not registered with the National Construction Authority (NCA), and no licensed contractor was overseeing the project.
Furthermore, there was no involvement of qualified professional engineers during the construction phase.
The IEK disclosed that the developer proceeded with construction despite having received a suspension order from the NCA over non-compliance issues.
Eng. Shammah Kiteme, President of the Institute of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), speaking during the media launch of the 31st International Convention on October 22, 2024. /INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERS KENYA
The collapse occurred while construction was still underway, catching workers and nearby residents off guard.
“The competence of the personnel involved is also in question. All these key factors require the oversight of qualified professional engineers, as they are essential to ensuring public safety, structural integrity, and regulatory compliance," Eng. Shammah Kiteme, President of IEK, stated in part.
IEK also flagged critical quality control failures, citing unanswered questions around the type of materials used, structural design adherence, concrete production methods, curing times, formwork removal, and possible unauthorized modifications that may have altered the building’s load-bearing structure.
The incident in Kisii comes just one day after a risky but controlled demolition of an 11-storey building in Mombasa.
That structure was found to be sinking, prompting urgent action by Mombasa County officials and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to avert another potential disaster.
In its statement, the IEK called for stricter enforcement of construction regulations and a crackdown on rogue developers and unlicensed personnel. The engineering body urged all developers to register their projects with the NCA and engage licensed engineers from start to finish.
“Neglecting these requirements is not just illegal — it’s deadly,” Eng. Kiteme warned. “This is a wake-up call for Kenya’s construction industry. We must put public safety above shortcuts and profits.”
The IEK is also pushing for a full investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the Kisii collapse, emphasizing that accountability is key to preventing future tragedies.
