The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) has raised alarm over the rising cases of substandard cement in the Kenyan market.
In a statement on Wednesday, May 28, IEK linked the issue to increased cases of collapsing buildings and compromised infrastructure across the country.
"Our members have documented up to 25% reduction in the compressive strength of concrete prepared from cement from several brands, undermining the strength and durability of concrete used in construction. This is a grave threat to public safety.
"The built environment must meet certain performance thresholds to withstand both everyday use and natural shocks," the statement read.
IEK went on to explain the critical role cement plays in construction and the dangers posed when its quality is compromised.
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"Cement is the binder in concrete. It is a key chemical component that hydrates in the mixture of fine and coarse aggregates and once it sets creating strong structures after curing and hardening.
"When cement is compromised, then life and property are directly at risk from compromised structural integrity," the statement continued.
IEK also flagged rampant fraudulent practices involving cement packaging, pointing out that some bags of cement advertised as weighing 50 kilograms were significantly underweight.
"Further compounding the issue is the widespread sale of underweight cement, especially in hardware stores and retail outlets. Cement bags marked as 50kg have been found to weigh significantly less, some as low as 45kg, shortchanging clients.
"This fraudulent practice is a violation of consumer rights. We urge the relevant regulatory authorities to intensify market surveillance and spot checks across the country to stamp out this malpractice," the statement added.
To address the crisis, IEK is calling for urgent interventions, including a countrywide audit of cement manufacturers.
"A comprehensive audit of all cement manufacturers and brands in Kenya, including random sampling from hardware stores and distribution points, to independently verify quality and conformity across all cement classes," IEK demanded.
The body also called for strict enforcement of weight verification, and legal action against individuals involved in undermining material standards.
"Mandatory enforcement of weight verification procedures before cement is dispatched from stores to customers, with penalties for non-compliance," the body added.
Additionally, the engineers called for a more decisive action, saying, “Immediate investigation and prosecution of rogue individuals, including public officials and private sector players, who are complicit in compromising the quality and standards of construction materials in Kenya.”
