KEBS introduces European building standards

Construction professionals will now be required to undergo retraining as the government speeds up the process of transition from British Standards of construction to Eurocodes.

Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Managing has signed a partnership agreement with  Moi University provide retraining courses, ahead of the 2021 deadline for the country to adopt the new guidelines.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ forum, KEBS Managing Director Charles Ongwae further said the standards body had put in place a guiding framework and the agency is working with all key stakeholders to ensure Kenya meets the deadline.

“KEBS does not develop or adopt the standards alone. The process of developing and adopting standards is a concerted effort between the users of the standard and the regulators. We are consulting all key stakeholders as the country transitions to Eurocodes,” Mr Ongwae said.

The Eurocodes, once adopted, are set to eliminate the disparities that hinder transfer of engineering technology and services within Kenya and the global market.

The standards are also expected to promote uniformity levels of safety in the construction sector.

Mr Ongwae said the adoption of the European building standards would enable Kenyan engineers to compete globally.

On his part State Department of Industry and Enterprise Development Principal Secretary Julius Korir said that the government would ensure the new standards are localized to bring on board local building materials and local building practices, so that they are relevant and easily application to Kenya.

“The standards are meant to avert disasters and offer mitigative measures as well as enable firms to obtain finance and insurance. They allow innovation and use of alternative technology,” Mr Korir said.

It is expected that by January 2021 the process of implementation of Structural Eurocodes will have been completed.