Despite the construction boom being witnessed in Kisumu being a good thing, there is growing worry about the haste with which the buildings are being constructed.
It is dangerous to human life, especially if the legal processes are not adhered to. In some places in Kisumu, construction literally non-stop; day and night. This kind of haste is meant to reduce the number of days spent on the site and hasten returns.
It is very worrying especially with current streams of collapsing buildings in the country. We all know that property investment is a lucrative business in Kenya and Kisumu is not an exception bearing in mind it is one of the fastest growing urban centres in the country.
It would be wise for contractors to adhere to National Construction Authority (NCA) regulations and the ethics related to building and construction.
As much as we want to make more money, it is wrong to put the lives of people on the balance now or in the future due to poorly constructed buildings. Kisumu, in fact, has had its own share of deaths as a result of collapsing buildings.
It is consoling to say the building industry has employed many people especially the youth, most of whom have been ignored in the job market. The issue of half-baked graduates, ethnicity and corruption has made the young people opt to the construction building industry where the only requirement is energy and time consciousness.
The 24-hour construction system is good for the casual laborious as they make more money in the short-run albeit there's danger of losing their lives or limbs in the process. But it is more beneficial to the owner because the building will be completed in a shorter time hence rent incomes starts trickling in much earlier.
Working day and night is not bad. Let us also consider the health of individuals working on the site. Casual workers require time for their bodies to relax. Overworking our bodies is unhealthy and we risk reducing our lifespan. For the men, you also risk jeopardising your marriages for obvious reasons.
As we strive daily to make more money. Beautify the city with great magnificent buildings. It is important we consider the health of our people now and in the future.