On January 2, Kenyans woke up to the news that a 14-floor building under construction had collapsed in South C estate, Nairobi. As the news kept streaming in, it emerged that at least two people had been trapped in the rubble.
For the affected families, the optimism of a new year had quickly turned into grief and anguish. Their agony not caused by an act of God but the failures of their fellow humans and inaction by the government agencies tasked with protecting them.
In their characteristic fashion, the Nairobi City County government and the National Construction Authority swiftly issued strong-worded statements stating the obvious; the building was non-compliant. It was as though they had made a new discovery for which they deserved national applause.
However, what they failed to answer was why the construction continued despite the developer’s failure to adhere to the building regulations and conditions of the construction approvals.
While the collapse of the South C building was agonising, it came as no surprise to most Kenyans. Many buildings in Nairobi and across the country are disasters in waiting, it is only by the grace of God that residents wake up each day.
There have been far too many incidents of buildings collapsing. Each time, government entities issue terse statements with the promise of accountability. However, as soon as the cameras go off, it’s business as usual. Developments continue in flagrant violation of the building regulations and professional standards.
Across the city, many residents’ associations have been left helpless as their calls for adherence to zoning laws fall on deaf ears. Previously lush estates are quickly losing their allure as unscrupulous developers erect buildings without regard to planning or environmental concerns.
City officials who are supposed to enforce the planning guidelines have chosen to turn a blind eye to the violations, eager to cash in on the bribes dished out by developers.
The incompetence and corruption by State agencies means that the citizens can no longer trust the integrity of the buildings they live in or the approvals given by the various agencies.
The effects of non-adherence to physical planning and zoning regulations have been severe. Public utilities such as playgrounds for children are long gone and the once green city is quickly being turned into a slum. Additionally, any little showers in the city result in floods due to poor drainage and the grabbing of riparian lands.
The citizens should not continue being victims of avoidable tragedies. The collapse of the South C building should be a wake up call. Officials who looked the other way as the development continued in violation of the building regulations must be held accountable. Likewise, the developer and the professionals who flouted the building regulations must pay a price.
Public institutions exist to protect members of the public. The establishment of the government is based on a social contract in which the people surrender some of their freedoms to the government in exchange for order, protection and benefits provided by a governing authority. The citizens should not have to pay taxes and again live in fear because those employed in public office cannot do their jobs.
Development and order are not incompatible. We can develop a city of order where residents can live without having to worry about the safety of their buildings. To do so, however, government agencies in charge of construction and physical planning must wake up from their slumber and diligently execute their duties.
