Is there a law regulating requirement of elevators in buildings in Kenya?

 

Listening to a local channel one morning after a wave of building collapse disasters in Kenya in the month of December 2014, one official of an international rescue company gave an advice that all buildings that have at least four floors should have elevators and the residence while looking for a place to stay should the lack of an elevator should be a tale tell sign that the building is not safe. According to this rescue official, the lack of a lift means the building is not safe for occupancy, and again there was no direct reference to a law that prohibits building this. The question therefore, is there a law in Kenya that regulates the requirement of elevators in building in Kenya?

The Building Code of the Republic of Kenya (2009 Edition) requires elevators to be included in the building design should it exceed four floors. A writer of the Star Newspaper, James Murua, in his article “The elevators are soon coming fast and furious” paints a picture of Kenyans living in its capital as the most affected in terms of building past the fourth floor without lifts. For the approving authorities it is the building plan that is usually approved, which in essence as a requirement by the law for buildings beyond fourth floor have an elevator as part of the plan. But in all the scenarios it seems Kenyans have embraced the lack of these elevators as a way of life and some have not even seen what elevators are let along it being a requirement. It is therefore important for the building regulation authorities to ensure that the law on elevators is implemented candidly and specifically for the areas where regulations with the code have not been adhered to.

Benard., L., (2014): Is there a law regulating requirement of elevators in buildings in Kenya? Intel Fire Group Blog. Nairobi, Kenya.