On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The tragedy claimed in excess of 100,000 lives. Geologists believe it is the strongest earthquake to hit the country since 1770.

Indeed it is one of the worst natural disasters in living memory, ranking close to the horrendous 2004 Tsunami and the 1976 Tangshan earthquake in China. Among African peers, Kenya has always bragged of a well-developed construction industry. Quality expertise in engineering, building and architectural design are readily available. The construction industry has experienced a boom with growth rates in excess of 20 per cent in recent years.

The exponential growth largely relates to residential housing and apartments. The once "leafy suburbs" of Nairobi are no longer leafy as they are riddled with flats and apartments. Land price in some areas of Nairobi has escalated by as much as 100 per cent over the last few years, and the market price for an average three-bedroom apartment hovers between Sh15 million to Sh20 million.

But is it likely that we are living in a fool's paradise? When a rainstorm hit the city in December 2008, buildings caved in, property was destroyed and deaths were reported. What would happen if an earthquake of the Haiti magnitude struck? God forbid.

The recent collapse of yet another building in Kiambu town confirmed what experts have always advised; most buildings around us are death traps.The Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) issued a comprehensive report after the first Kiambu building caved in killing 16 people. Either someone did not heed their advice or they ignored the counsel altogether. Two things came out in the open. First, either most professionals involved in construction are incompetent or they are compromised to approve poor workmanship.

Second, our disaster risk preparedness is wanting. Reducing the vulnerability of populations to disaster is a crucial aspect of disaster management. The list of the failure, and the arising consequences, is endless; at Nyamakima, a collapsed building in Kisii, another in Mombasa, and two in Kiambu. People lost their lives and property due to failure to adhere to stipulated building regulations.

According to AAK, 65 per cent of Kenya's urban buildings are sub-standard and unapproved. While I agree that risks are inherent in all human activities -- an unavoidable aspect of life -- the seemingly common collapse of buildings like a pack of cards is worrisome. The risks are more profound in urban areas. The massive population growth in towns and cities continues to put pressure on the existing buildings.

New buildings must therefore be constructed to take care of the insatiable demand for housing. However, brilliant workmanship stands the test of time -- look at Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi. But it is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world's tallest building, that rules the roost. The building has more floors than any other skyscraper in the world and harbours the world's highest surveillance deck on the 124th floor, and the highest swimming pool on the 76th.

The building is so tall that it is 10 degrees Celsius cooler at the top than at the base. Construction commenced in 2004 and though officially opened, its interior finishing is still being done.

It required resources, dedication and professionalism to assemble such a magnificent spectacle. It has been suggested that an oversight body, by the name Planning and Building Authority based at the Housing ministry, be launched and charged with approving building plans, inspecting construction work and punishing errant professionals such as quantity surveyors, architects and engineers.

Stakeholders believe that such a body can ensure building plans approval and follow up on construction processes to weed out quacks masquerading as competent professionals.

Financial institutions take the issue seriously, closely monitoring the project implementation process. The interest extends until the end of the tenure of the loan.

Failure to ensure that the project is undertaken under set building regulations and standards means that the bank loses its funds should the project stall or collapse. Lenders who avail finances for construction work are often skeptical when making decisions on which project to fund. Interest rates on such loans increase to reflect additional inherent risks.

However, we must have a way forward. First, it is important for developers to ensure that building materials are up to the stipulated standards. The Kenya Bureau of Standards vets the quality of construction materials ranging from cement to reinforcement bars and grills.

Second, inspection by local authorities should be a critical part of building projects. Developers should fully co-operate and avoid short-cuts.

It is a known fact that corruption play a role in most house construction deals; some officials approve substandard building plans while some investors construct buildings without the requisite approvals. Third, financial institutions that give loans without allowing sufficient grace period make developers rush, which leads to substandard and shoddy jobs. As a result, developers are in a hurry to start servicing their loans. As soon as they are done with the lower floors they put them up for occupancy as they continue to finish the top floors.

Fourth, the public should play a role in the matter. They should report shoddy construction work to relevant authorities and avoid occupying such buildings.

On site sign boards inform the public and other stakeholders about the professionals involved in the construction. Failure to spot one such signpost at a construction site should raise eyebrows.

Engineers have a saying: "Earthquakes do not kill people, buildings do." In order to mitigate the monumental losses experienced by victims when a building collapses, house owners must insure their buildings.

Insurance protects the property and equipment of a business against loss from theft, fire or any other peril --natural calamities included. While some risks and tragedies like the Haitian quake might be beyond our control, it is prudent to think like an Englishman; "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Kihuro is a risk management practitioner at Panafrican Housing Financial, Shelter Afrique.