Why Do Buildings Fall?
A hard but necessary conversation.
Not too long ago, social media was filled with heartbreaking footage of a building that collapsed in Kahawa West. People stood there watching, some recording, some helping, but all of them asking the same question:
How does a whole building just fall?
The truth is, buildings don’t just fall.
They fail slowly, long before the first crack appears.
Collapse is only the final chapter of a story that started at the foundation.
Let’s talk about what really goes wrong.
It Begins With the Soil
Before a single brick is laid, the ground must be tested.
If the soil cannot support weight, especially in swampy or loose ground, the building begins sinking from day one.
But because soil tests seem “unnecessary” or “too expensive,” many projects skip them.
Yet the ground does not forgive shortcuts.
Unsafe Excavation Near Existing Buildings
When excavation happens beside another building without reinforcement or shoring, the soil holding up that building is disturbed.
One site can silently weaken another. This is why collapsing buildings often happen in densely built areas.
Poor Quality Concrete
Concrete is the skeleton of the building.
When it is:
-Poorly mixed and with wrong ratios
-Contaminated
-Rushed without proper curing
Weak concrete means weak columns, weak beams, weak slabs, a weak building.
And a weak building eventually gives way.
Substandard Materials
Trying to save costs by using:
-Low-grade steel from unverified suppliers,
-Low-grade cement,
A building is only as strong as what goes into it.
Poor Workmanship and Lack of Supervision
Even with a perfect design and quality materials, mistakes on-site can be fatal.
Examples:
-Reinforcement placed wrongly
-Inadequate curing time
-Rushing construction to “meet deadlines”
-No qualified construction manager is overseeing the work
When no one is watching, corners get cut and buildings pay the price.
So, Why Did the Kahawa West Building Fall?
We may not know every detail yet, investigations take time.
But history has shown us the pattern. It’s rarely a coincidence or fate.
It’s almost always neglect disguised as cost-saving.
How to Prevent this
To prevent building failures:
-Conduct proper soil tests before foundation
-Use certified materials from reputable suppliers
-Ensure qualified supervision on-site
-Follow structural drawings strictly
-Allow proper curing time, no rushing concrete
-Do not modify structures without structural approval
Remember, when we build, we are not just constructing walls.
We are building: safety, trust, homes and futures
Buildings do not collapse by surprise.
They collapse because someone, somewhere, chose shortcuts over safety.
We must choose better.
Lives depend on it.
