Kileleshewa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has demanded the county government of Nairobi, the Ministry of Labour, the National Construction Authority (NCA), the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and the National Police Service to conduct an audit on all construction sites in Nairobi.

This is after an unfortunate accident was witnessed at a construction site in Westlands leaving one worker dead and five others nursing injuries.

The deceased succumbed to injuries he had sustained during the accident. Two of the five who were injured are currently admitted to a hospital in Nairobi and are receiving treatment for critical conditions while the other three are nursing minor injuries.

The death marks the fifth reported case at construction sites within Westlands and Dagoretti North Constituencies in the last two months.

Kileleshwa MCA, Robert Alai addresses the media at a past event

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Robert Alai

According to the MCA, the accident happened due to the alarming disregard for worker safety and regulatory compliance at construction sites across Nairobi County.

Alai has alleged that although cases of injuries and deaths from construction site accidents are reported at the police stations, many complaints appear to be systematically concealed from public scrutiny and relevant authorities.

The MCA also claimed that most construction sites are not compliant with the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 2007 (OSHA), which mandates employers to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of all employees at work. And when such accidents happen, they are concealed leaving loopholes for more to happen.

Employers also allegedly ignore the National Construction Authority Regulations, 2014, specifically Regulation 25, which requires contractors to implement safety measures, including the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to site safety plans.

To prevent further accidents and deaths Alai now wants all the relevant authorities and stakeholders to conduct audits and ensure that employers adhere to these regulations.

"I specifically demand that the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, in collaboration with the NCA and Nairobi City County Government, initiate an urgent and thorough audit of all construction sites within Westlands, Dagoretti North, and the wider Nairobi region," Alai demanded in an official statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke.

The MCA has also piled pressure on the police to expedite and investigate the increasing incidents of unreported injuries and fatalities at construction sites arguing that concealment of such cases obstructs justice and accountability.

NEMA has also been called upon to ensure that environmental safeguards are enforced to protect neighboring properties from hazards arising from non-compliant construction activities.

The MCA has insisted that while the construction sector is vital to the economy, workers should not be losing their lives while at work.

NEMA police on surveillance at a night construction in South C in Nairobi, Othaya Road, Parklands, Novemebr 2024.

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NEMA