Strong buildings start with strong materials.

Engineers across the country are speaking out about the rising use of poor-quality cement in construction. They say that some buildings are being put up using cement that does not meet the required standards, and this is putting people’s lives at risk. Cracks, weak walls and even collapsing structures are becoming more common and in many cases, it all starts with bad cement.

What worries the experts most is that this substandard cement often finds its way into the market unnoticed. It is hard to tell just by looking at a bag whether the cement inside is good or not. Without proper checks, contractors may buy it thinking it is fine, only to find out later that it cannot hold the weight it is supposed to.

   

This is where the issue of traceability becomes very important. When cement products are well tracked from the factory to the point of sale, it becomes easier to identify where the bad batches are coming from. If a building develops problems and the cement used can be traced, then the supplier and manufacturer can be held responsible. This also makes it easier to stop the spread of more bad products into the market.

Traceability gives engineers, builders and customers confidence that what they are using is safe and meets the right standards. It also pushes manufacturers to be more careful, knowing that their products can be traced back to them. In the end, it helps protect lives, especially in places like schools, hospitals, and apartment blocks where many people gather.

With Kenya’s growing demand for affordable housing and large infrastructure projects, engineers believe that the country cannot afford to ignore this issue. Better checks, tighter controls and traceable products could be the key to safer buildings and a more trustworthy construction industry.