Dagoretti leaders raise alarm over safety of construction workers as five injured, one killed on site
They want authorities to conduct investigations in the various sites to ensure compliance with the law
The increase in the number of accidents resulting from illegal constructions in Dagoretti North sub-county in Nairobi have raised an alarm.
Area leaders, led by Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly Robert Alai, have called on the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the National Construction Authority, and the National Police Service to conduct investigations at the various construction sites in the area to determine whether the owners are following the various laws and save the workers from any further exploitation as their safety is at risk.
“I call upon various authorities to take immediate and decisive action to enforce compliance with these legal frameworks. The protection of workers’ lives, as enshrined under Article 26 of the Constitution of Kenya, and the safeguarding of properties adjacent to construction sites must be upheld without compromise,” Alai stated.
Alai also called on the Ministry of Labor to collaborate with the County and NCA and initiate an urgent and thorough audit of all construction sites within the wider Nairobi region.
“An audit must be done to assess compliance with Section 9 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007, which requires employers to conduct risk assessments and implement preventive measures, and NCA Regulation 27, which mandates regular site inspections,” he stated.
The MCA called on that developers found in violating of the provisions should face penalties as stipulated under Section 23 of OSHA and NCA Regulation 40, including fines, suspension of operations, or prosecution.
The remarks by the legislator come after five people were yesterday left with serious injuries and one fatally injured in a construction site in Westlands.
The daily labourers blamed their supervisor for neglecting their safety, hence risking their lives.
The incident of death brings the total number of deaths reported in the larger sub-county to five, with illegal sites and lack of protective gear being the top causes of the mortalities.
This is even as the county plans to introduce digital identification cards for all planning compliance officers in Nairobi to curb illegal inspections at construction sites by imposters and unqualified individuals.
Speaking on the matter, Chief Officer for Urban Planning Patrick Analo acknowledged concerns from developers about unauthorised visits to construction sites.
He noted that some of these individuals include criminals, members of the public, and even former county officers who have retired but still pose as inspectors.
“We have had complaints from developers where people visit construction sites, and some of these people are imposters. Some are former county officers who have retired but go to sites purporting to conduct inspections,” Analo stated.
He further revealed that some local officers without expertise in engineering, physical planning, or architecture have also been engaging in inspections, creating confusion and undermining the credibility of regulatory processes.
City Hall has recruited over 50 new planning compliance officers, trained and inducted them, and deployed them across sub-counties.
