Assessing the Level of Regulatory Compliance in Construction Projects in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Assessing the Level of Regulatory Compliance in Construction Projects in Nairobi City County, Kenya
  IJETT-book-cover           
  
© 2025 by IJETT Journal
Volume-73 Issue-5
Year of Publication : 2025
Author : David Lagat, Mugwima Njuguna, Titus Kivaa, Shadrack Mutungi Simon
DOI : 10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V73I5P120

How to Cite?
David Lagat, Mugwima Njuguna, Titus Kivaa, Shadrack Mutungi Simon, "Assessing the Level of Regulatory Compliance in Construction Projects in Nairobi City County, Kenya ," International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology, vol. 73, no. 5, pp.227-240, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/22315381/IJETT-V73I5P120

Abstract
This study assesses the level of regulatory compliance in construction projects in Nairobi, Kenya, using a cross-sectional research design and mixed-methods approach. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to construction site supervisors from a random sample of 261 projects, while the secondary data was obtained from the National Construction Authority’s (NCA) Online Project Registration System (OPRS) database. Analysis of objective data shows an overall compliance level of 64.75% for Nairobi, which, according to most compliance matrices, is considered to be of medium level, with areas East of the Central Business District (CBD) showing lower compliance levels compared to those to the West. Descriptive data from primary and secondary sources shows differences in mean, with primary data indicating higher levels of compliance M=0.940 and a lower variation of SD=0.016, while secondary data shows a lower mean M=0.842 and SD=0.054. Further, an independent sample t-test shows statistically significant differences, suggesting that on-site qualitative assessments captured more details than standardized checklists. This implies that current compliance reports generated from standardized inspection checklists are inclined to overgeneralize and ignore subtle concerns. This underscores the need for site-specific evaluations integrating both qualitative and quantitative data for comprehensive compliance assessments. CFA also successfully loaded surrogates of all the latent factors of regulatory compliance into Project Registration Status (RS), Project Site Conditions (SC), and Project Workforce Status (WS), presenting crucial areas where regulatory interventions can be focused. The study thus recommends detailed compliance protocols, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data and continuous, systematic auditing to identify subtle issues. Such action could inform improved policy decisions and more consistent enforcement of construction regulations. The study thus provides new knowledge on regulatory compliance in Nairobi and proposes measures for addressing regulatory gaps epitomized by unabated cases of failure and collapses of buildings.

Keywords
Regulatory compliance, Construction project, Levels of compliance, Urban Development, Project Management.

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