Kenya: Many Urban Buildings Are Death Traps

opinion

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.

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