Kericho: Members of the public have been urged to embrace the newly launched National Building Code, 2024, which introduces wide-ranging reforms designed to improve safety, accountability, and sustainability in Kenya’s construction sector.

According to Kenya News Agency, the call was made during a sensitisation forum held at the Sunshine Hotel in Kericho, which brought together architects, engineers, contractors, planners, developers, and county officials. Taking the lead in the sensitisation, Architect Kathy Kibowen from the National Construction Authority emphasised the critical role the new Code would play in shaping the future of Kenya’s built environment. She noted that the Code represents a timely response to long-standing gaps in the construction industry and reflects a clear shift toward more professional, standardised, and climate-responsive practices.

‘The newly introduced Code sets a clear benchmark for safety, quality, and accountability in the construction sector across Kenya. Compliance should not be viewed as an option but as a fundamental requirement for every professional and institution involved in the built environment. It is now the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the Code and ensure their practices are fully aligned with this updated regulatory framework,’ said Kibowen. She explained that the Code addresses emerging global challenges such as climate change and urban sprawl by incorporating stronger environmental and safety considerations into design and execution.

Kibowen further pointed out that the lack of a unified regulatory framework in previous years had opened the door for substandard construction practices, which often compromised public safety and undermined trust in the industry. ‘The Code fills a critical gap that has for years undermined safety and trust in the sector by giving professionals a structured benchmark for innovation while restoring confidence in regulatory processes,’ stressed Kibowen. She praised the introduction of digital plan approvals as a welcome innovation that would not only reduce delays and inefficiencies in the project approval process but also enhance transparency, traceability, and accountability in the construction approval system.

Meanwhile, Eng. Daniel Nyongeza described the Code as a transformative document that goes beyond regulation and offers a blueprint for a modern, efficient, and safe construction industry. ‘This Code provides the foundation for a safe, efficient, and forward-looking construction environment. It empowers both professionals and ordinary citizens to understand their roles and obligations in the building process,’ said Nyongeza. Additionally, Nyongeza urged County governments to align their systems with the Code’s digital approach and to adopt electronic processes in building approvals and inspections.

Also present at the sensitisation forum was the Officer-In-Charge of the National Construction Authority (NCA) in Kericho County, Eng. Maurine Obiero, who emphasised the importance of localised understanding and county-level implementation of the National Building Code 2024, particularly in rural areas where awareness remains limited. ‘We must ensure that the Code is not just a document known to officials in Nairobi but a working tool for ‘fundis’, site supervisors, and county engineers across every village and town. While the Code provides a national framework, its success depends on how well it is interpreted and applied at the county level. We are committed to working with local professionals, authorities, and the public to ensure a smooth transition,’ she said.

She noted that public sensitisation efforts must be expanded to ensure inclusivity and that all stakeholders understand what is required under the new law. During the sensitisation session, participants were taken through key provisions of the Code by technical experts from the State Department for Public Works and the NCA. The sessions focused on critical areas including plan approval procedures, updated design standards, inspection processes, and professional registration requirements.

Furthermore, NCA officials stressed that the Code is not limited to professionals alone. They said it empowers all Kenyans to demand quality services, question unsafe construction, and play a more active role in promoting safe built environments. In support of this vision, the NCA has launched a countrywide outreach initiative targeting all 47 counties. The initiative includes training for contractors, site supervisors, county engineers, and government officials involved in construction approvals and enforcement.

Among the new requirements introduced by the Code are provisions related to energy efficiency, fire protection systems, seismic resilience, and accessibility for persons with disabilities. Projects will be required to involve licensed professionals throughout their duration, and strict penalties will be enforced for violations once the grace period ends. Participants were advised to read the full Code and to seek clarification from NCA offices or registered experts to ensure correct interpretation. Officials reiterated that the one-year transition period before enforcement is intended to allow time for adjustment and capacity building across the sector.

In her closing remarks, Architect Kibowen urged young architects, engineers, and construction professionals to embrace the Code as a vital tool for guiding responsible development, emphasising that it presents an opportunity to build better, safer, and smarter, and that the future of the built environment depends on its effective application both in law and in practice.

The sensitisation forum in Kericho marked a significant milestone in the national rollout of the National Building Code, 2024. As Kenya continues to modernise its construction sector, all stakeholders, from government institutions and professionals to ordinary citizens, are expected to take an active role in ensuring full compliance and upholding the highest standards in the development of infrastructure nationwide.