The construction industry has undergone radical technological disruptions like all the other sectors in Kenya and new technologies are playing a key role in reducing construction costs as well as completion timelines while improving the quality of structures.
Precast concrete, which is slowly gaining a foothold in Kenya, is one such technology.
Kenya currently faces a housing deficit of 2 million units while housing demand is growing by 250,000 units annually.
The government targets to construct one million housing units over the next five years. But for this to happen, developers may need to embrace new technologies. Precast concrete, which is slowly gaining popularity in Kenya, is one such technology that is reducing construction costs as well as completion timelines.
The technology which has been widely applied in Europe and the Middle East is making it possible for developers to put up a house in just eight days and four months to construct a mansion without compromising on safety as compared to 7 months when using the conventional methods.
Precast concrete technology is made by casting concrete on a steel pallet in a workshop and curing it in a regulated curing chamber before transporting it to a construction site for assembling.
Njubi is optimistic that more Kenyans will embrace this technology on grounds of affordability and quality.
Ankar realtors have trained over 100 locals youth in Meru, Nyeri and Nanyuki on how to assemble and interlock the concrete panel to sustain themselves economically.
The growing demand and acceptance of modern construction technology among local developers has seen international firms set up shop in the country to produce the concrete panels, wall panels, pre-stressed beams, hollow-core slabs for flooring and roofing.
