NAIROBI, Kenya – Engineers are warning of a looming crisis in Kenya’s construction sector as fake and substandard cement floods the market, raising fears over public safety and the integrity of the country’s built environment.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) said that some cement products—even those bearing the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) quality mark—are falling far short of safety thresholds, potentially endangering lives.
“We are witnessing a significant drop in the compressive strength of concrete made from several cement brands,” said Eng. Shammah Kiteme, President of IEK. “In some cases, the strength has dropped by up to 25%, compromising the durability of buildings and infrastructure.”
‘Alarming and Dangerous’
Engineers say the consequences of such weakness could be catastrophic, especially in a country already grappling with frequent building collapses.
Concrete, the backbone of most modern construction, depends on high-quality cement to bond materials like sand and gravel into a solid mass.
If the cement is diluted or poorly manufactured, structures are at risk of failing under normal use—or in the event of natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes.
“This is not just a technical issue. It’s a matter of public safety,” Eng. Kiteme said.
Widespread Sale of Underweight Cement
The IEK also flagged another alarming trend: underweight cement bags being sold in hardware stores and retail outlets.
Bags labeled as 50kg have reportedly weighed as little as 45kg—shortchanging consumers and potentially skewing construction measurements that rely on precise ratios.
“This is not only unethical but also illegal,” IEK said in its statement. “It undermines construction quality and violates consumer rights.”
IEK STATEMENT ON THE RISING CONCERNS OVER PROLIFERATION OF SUBSTANDARD CEMENT IN THE MARKET AND ITS IMPACT ON THE LOCAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. Read the full statement here: shorturl.at/BCgMq
Call for Crackdown and Accountability
The engineers’ body is urging the government to step in with urgent and coordinated action. Among their key demands:
- An immediate audit of all cement manufacturers and brands on the Kenyan market.
- Random sampling and independent lab testing from retail and distribution points.
- Mandatory weight verification for all cement dispatched to consumers.
- Prosecution of both public officials and private players involved in fraud or quality breaches.
“This problem didn’t start yesterday—and it won’t go away without decisive enforcement,” said Eng. Kiteme. “We must hold those responsible to account.”
A Broader Crisis of Oversight?
While the IEK did not name specific brands, the mention of substandard cement carrying the KEBS quality mark has raised questions about the effectiveness of regulatory oversight.
Industry insiders say a combination of weak enforcement, corruption, and lack of capacity at oversight bodies may have allowed the problem to grow unchecked.
With over 13,000 members across the country, IEK is a major stakeholder in Kenya’s engineering and construction space.
The organization says it will continue to monitor the situation and issue regular updates on progress—or lack thereof.
“We are ready to work with all stakeholders to restore professionalism and integrity in the industry,” said Eng. Kiteme.
