The Architectural Association of Kenya is calling on the government to honour its pledge of compensating and relocating developers whose structures are being brought down on grounds that they have been built on riparian land.
The association's chairperson Florence Nyole says, that though the developers faulted in putting up houses on riparian land, it is inhuman for the government to bring the structures down without caring where thousands of Kenyans will find shelter.
Speaking in Mihang'o area of Eastlands Nairobi during a sensitization clinic, Nyole called upon Kenyans to take up the services of professionals as they put up structures.
Since the year 2017, The association has been carrying out sensitization campaigns named “ je una mjengo?” which seeks to enlighten developers on the need to embrace the services of professionals when putting up structures to avoid losing investments through such demolitions.
Following heavy rains which led to flooding in different parts of Nairobi, especially in the informal settlements, the government embarked on a sustained campaign of bringing down buildings put up on riparian land, an exercise which is led by Interior CS Prof. Kithure Kindiki.
The exercise has however led to desperation for thousands of Kenyans who have found themselves in the cold, without any shelter, with others losing their livelihoods.
AAK says that Kenyan developers have not inculcated the habit of incorporating the services of professionals when constructing, saying that 80% of buildings in Kenya are constructed without using the services of professionals.
“A developer not only ends up losing materials during the construction period but also time and risking the lives of people who occupy such buildings," said Wycliffe Waburiri, the chairperson of the architects under the AAK chapter.
"We are encouraging our members to give us a list of the buildings they have been involved in construction so that eventually we will be able to compile a list of all buildings in the country which are sound, and whose owners have sought the services of professionals during construction."
He added:
"We understand that some people believe that it is expensive to hire the services of professionals. what the don’t know is that our rates are controlled and you also don’t need to pay the whole amount at a go. You can easily pay for services as you engage every professional at a different stage during construction."
Paul Karara, an engineer with AAK has also encouraged Kenyans to check the website of Engineers Board of Kenya, in order to get names of professionals who have been accredited by the board and seek their services when undertaking developments.
AAK brings together professionals from 8fields within the construction industry