NCA Unveils Strategic Plan and New Waste Management Guidelines

The National Construction Authority has officially released a trio of regulatory and planning documents intended to steer the trajectory of the Kenyan building sector over the next four years.

The launch, held recently in Nairobi, introduced the National Construction Authority Strategic Plan 2025–2028, the Construction Industry Outlook 2024, and the National Construction and Demolition Waste Management Strategy.

These documents arrive at a time when the sector is adjusting to a shift in growth rates. Recent data indicate that while the construction industry remains a primary contributor to the national gross domestic product, the growth rate slowed to 3.0 percent in 2023.

The 2025–2028 Strategic Plan outlines a blueprint for the Authority to enhance regulatory compliance and quality assurance. It prioritizes the adoption of new technologies and the development of local contractor capacity to meet evolving infrastructure demands.

Institutional efficiency is a central pillar of the new plan, with the Authority seeking to streamline its internal operations to better serve stakeholders. This includes a focus on research and innovation to address recurring challenges within the built environment.

The Construction Industry Outlook 2024 provides an analysis of current market trends, investment mechanisms, and the capacity of human resources. It highlights the impact of recent legislative changes, including the National Building Code 2024.

This new building code has replaced the previous 1968 regulations, introducing performance-based standards that encourage sustainable practices. The Outlook document serves as a factual baseline for stakeholders to monitor industry performance and identify investment gaps.

A notable addition to the regulatory framework is the National Construction and Demolition Waste Management Strategy. This document addresses the environmental impact of building activities by providing a structured plan for handling debris and material leftovers.

The waste management strategy is paired with an implementation plan designed to ensure that sustainability is not just a concept, but a practical requirement on active sites. It emphasizes environmental stewardship as a core value for modern contractors.

During the launch, the Authority emphasized that these frameworks were developed through consultative processes with industry players. This collaborative approach is intended to ensure the strategies are grounded in the actual needs of the workforce.

Key focus areas for the upcoming period include the empowerment of local contractors through better access to financing and equipment. The Authority also plans to tighten the implementation of regulations governing foreign contractors operating within the country.

The rollout of these documents follows the introduction of the Affordable Housing Act 2024, which has created a new legal environment for large-scale residential projects. The Strategic Plan aligns the Authority's mandate with these broader national housing goals.

To support these objectives, the Authority is promoting the use of Building Information Modelling and other digital tools. These technologies are increasingly viewed as necessary for maintaining safety and efficiency in complex infrastructure projects.

The Authority remains focused on mitigating the collapse of buildings by strictly enforcing quality assurance standards. The new strategic period will see increased site inspections and a more rigorous verification of skilled construction workers and supervisors.