This article elaborates the various causes of building failure in Africa, particularly Kenya. In addition to various causes that lead to collapse of buildings, Lack of African code of practice can also be a factor that should be put in consideration. Most codes of practice used in African countries are foreign codes either from Britain or Indian codes yet we use local materials for construction. Keywords: building; code of practice; collapse; Life & properties; materials.
I. Introduction
The cases of building failures and consequent collapse of structures in Kenya had reached an alarming stage in the past few years. Reporting collapsed buildings in the country was comparable to flood disaster, earthquake and aeroplane clash considering the loss of life and destruction of property in different parts of the country. As I prepare this article, there is a sense of relief in the country as far as building collapsing is concern, not because people have stopped doing construction work, but as a result of safety measures currently being practiced in the construction industry along with tight government precautions. The aim of this article is to elaborate various cases that occurred in the country leading to loses of lives and properties. It also mentions the causes which could have caused such incidents, along with various suggestions which were not included in speculations.
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