#Institution of Engineers of Kenya

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has called for safety audits of construction projects across the country. The call follows two building tragedies in two days: in Syokimau on Friday and in Riverside on Saturday. The Star reported that at least nine people died. "Enough is enough," the institution said in a statement. It said Kenya cannot keep counting casualties, issuing condolences and making promises while weaknesses in the construction sector go unfixed. IEK said the weaknesses lie in engineering design, building practices, professional supervision, inspection and enforcement of the rules. IEK said it sent structural engineers to both sites right after the incidents to support rescue operations. In Syokimau, early assessments point to the temporary structures holding up a concrete slab, including formwork, falsework and vertical props. IEK said investigators should check how those supports were designed and inspected before the concrete was poured. They should also examine how the pouring was done. In Riverside, IEK said investigators should focus on the support system for the excavation and the retaining walls, which reportedly failed during construction. The institution stressed that these were early technical observations,…