The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has raised serious concerns over the increasing presence of substandard cement in the market, warning that the quality of some brands has deteriorated significantly—even as they continue to bear the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) mark of quality.
IEK emphasized the urgent need for regular and rigorous auditing of cement manufacturers across the country, warning that the continued use of poor-quality cement poses grave risks to structural safety and public trust in the construction sector.
Kenya’s rapid urbanization, major infrastructure projects, and booming real estate industry have driven up the demand for cement in recent years. This growth has attracted numerous manufacturers—both local and international—leading to increased competition. However, the IEK says this has also created a fertile environment for unscrupulous producers to cut corners.
Engineers have flagged a disturbing 25% reduction in the strength of concrete made from several cement brands currently on sale. Additionally, they have identified a widespread trend of underweight cement bags, particularly in retail outlets and hardware stores, raising further concerns about consumer exploitation and compromised construction standards.
The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has raised serious concerns over prolonged delays and corruption in the development approval process within Nairobi County. Speaking to the County Assembly Planning Committee on Tuesday, IEK President Eng. Shammah Kiteme highlighted numerous complaints from his members about the inefficiencies and lack of transparency plaguing the system.
Eng. Kiteme noted that many engineers have faced difficulties in tracking the progress of submitted development plans.“Approvals are taking excessively long, and there is no clarity on the stages of the process,” he said. “This lack of predictability is disrupting our work and frustrating developers alike.”The IEK president also drew attention to disparities in approval efficiency between counties.“Other counties have more straightforward and predictable approval processes. We believe Nairobi can improve, and we are here to offer our help,” he said.
In a strong statement, Kiteme alleged that corruption within the county executive is crippling operations in the construction industry.“In the next seven days, I will submit names of corrupt officers extorting architects for approvals. They only act when bribed,” he said, calling for urgent reforms.
The session was chaired by Kitusuru Ward Representative Alvin Palapala, who assured the engineers that action would be taken against those responsible for malpractice.“Once we receive the names of the cartels, we will expose them during the report-writing stage. Anyone found facilitating non-compliant developments must resign as investigations continue,” he asserted.
Kiteme emphasized IEK’s readiness to collaborate with the county to streamline development approvals and restore order.“We are not just raising issues—we are offering solutions. Let us work together to identify bottlenecks and fix them,” he concluded.“Despite bearing the KEBS quality mark, some of these products are not meeting minimum quality requirements,” IEK stated. “This undermines public safety and distorts fair competition in the market.”IEK is calling on regulatory agencies, particularly KEBS, to enhance enforcement mechanisms and ensure that only cement meeting the prescribed standards reaches consumers.
The body is also urging the imposition of stiff penalties—including heavy fines and possible criminal prosecution—on manufacturers and retailers found guilty of repeat violations.
The engineers’ association further emphasized the need to crack down on misleading product labeling and unfair trade practices, including deceptive packaging and weight manipulation.
As Kenya continues to invest in critical infrastructure and urban development, IEK’s warning serves as a stark reminder that quality assurance must keep pace with industry expansion to safeguard lives and uphold professional standards in the construction sector.
