Influence of Governance Framework on Mitigating Building Failures in Kenya

Abstract

Building failures have become a global phenomenon and have been increasing over the decade. This can be attributed to increased demand for residential houses, commercial and public buildings to accommodate human activities. The increased value of land and its scarcity has resulted in construction of high rise buildings that are complex. Developers have taken advantage of these demand particularly residential houses to construct sub-standard houses without following appropriate building procedures. Building failures can be attributed to usage of materials that are sub-standard in building works, utilization of unqualified contractors and professionals, poor or lack of inspection by the institutions mandated to undertake inspection, non-compliance with regulations, specification and standards, lack of regulatory enforcement mechanism and compromise in the building approval process. In Kenya the rate of building failures has increased over the last decade due to increase in demand for residential houses, commercial and industrial buildings as a result of increased population, high rate of urbanization and the effects of devolution. The study focuses on establishing the influence of governance framework on mitigating building failures in Kenya with emphasis to building policies, regulatory framework, institutional arrangement and contextual issues. The study population was drawn from institutions in both the National and County Governments involved in Policy and Legal formulation, planning and enforcement as well as regulatory professional bodies in the building sector. The total target population was eight hundred and seventy-seven (877) respondents, within the two levels of government. The study used stratified random sampling technique in selecting the sample. The sample size was 275 respondents. Primary data which is largely quantitative and descriptive in nature was collected by use of structured questionnaires. The questionnaire was pilot-tested to test whether the instruments are reliable and valid before administering in the actual study. In analyzing the data, regression analysis was carried out to identify the significance of each study variable. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, the mean, standard deviation and standard errors were used in describing the data. Normality test was also done and finally multiple regressions and correlation analysis was conducted to establish the relationship between Policy, Legal, Institutional and Contextual framework on mitigating building failures. From the findings, it is clear that not all of the building professionals are aware of the building policies that are in place and being used and recommends that the institutions charged with the formulation and implementation of the building sector policies should involve the building sector professionals and stakeholders in the formulation, implementation and review of Sector Policies. The Study found out the existance of many policies in sector and recommends harmonization to a comprehensive and adequate policy that addresses all aspects of building process. The existing legal framework has inadequate sanctions and penalties for non-compliance and recommends review of current Building Code and strict sanctions and penalties be included in building laws and regulations. The institutions managing building sector should be capacitated to undertake inspection and supervision during construction stages. Bribery mostly takes place during inspections, design and approval stage of the building process thus exposing buildings to failures. Building authorities, developers and institutions should hire and employ the services of building professional who can be held accountable in case of any professional negligence. Penalties and sanction should be imposed on both contractors and building professionals involved in bribery and those who use unorthodox construction method and faulty designs respectively to enhance discipline and to reduce building failure in the building sector. Thorough vetting of the building professionals should be done to give them a chance to defend their ethical/moral standing while annual renewal of practicing licenses should not be issued to professionals found guilty of corruption offenses. Finally, the study suggests a further research be conducted on the influence of governance framework on mitigating infrastructural project failures in Kenya.