Crown Paints Kenya says cutting initial construction costs by using cheaper materials without considering their durability could lead to losses Crown Paints head of construction sector Tom Oyier Kenya’s construction boom is raising concerns over building safety and the long-term cost of maintaining property, with developers urged to prioritise durable materials and quality workmanship.
This as the country grapples with deadly building collapses. Crown Paints Kenya has warned that cutting initial construction costs by using cheaper materials without considering their durability could expose property owners and investors to expensive repairs, premature deterioration and reduced property values.
The warning comes amid renewed construction activity and persistent concerns about compliance with building standards, following a series of structural failures that have claimed lives, injured residents and destroyed property. The latest collapse in Nairobi’s Eastleigh neighbourhood has again highlighted the human and financial consequences of unsafe construction, strengthening calls for stricter enforcement of building regulations and greater accountability across the construction value chain.
According to the National Construction Authority (NCA), concerns over the structural integrity of buildings in Nairobi have persisted for years, suggesting that a substantial proportion of the city’s buildings may be unsafe. The scale of the problem underscores the need for systematic inspections, reliable structural assessments and effective enforcement rather than relying on compliance documents alone.
Addressing the Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (IQSK) Annual Convention in Mombasa, Crown Paints head of construction sector Tom Oyier said developers needed to assess the long-term performance of building materials instead of focusing narrowly on the initial cost of construction.
“Choosing cheaper materials without considering durability and maintenance requirements can lead to repeated repairs and higher costs over time. The industry must shift its focus from the lowest initial price to the long-term value of buildings,” Oyier said. His remarks come as Kenya’s construction industry rebounds from a difficult period.