Kenya National Building Code 2024: what it means for MEP design

Kenya's National Building Code 2024 was published as Legal Notice No. 47 on 1 March 2024 and revoked the 1968 building by-laws. It provided for commencement one year after publication, on 1 March 2025, and the National Construction Authority (NCA) launched it publicly in July 2024. Any project designed against older drawings or an older specification should be checked against the current code.

Why this matters for MEP

A project carried over from an earlier design stage can hold assumptions nobody has revisited. Electrical, ventilation, plumbing and fire documents often reference a standard because the last project did. Before a tender, the question is simple: which edition and which standards does each discipline's design basis rely on, and who has confirmed them?

What to check on your project

• Design basis: list the code parts and standards used by each discipline, with editions, and have the responsible registered engineer confirm them.
• Carry-over designs: mark any drawing prepared before the code took effect, then confirm whether it needs review.
• Coordination: confirm plant rooms, shafts, access and fire interfaces are shown consistently across architecture, structure and services.
• Approvals: confirm with your project team what county, NCA and NEMA routes apply, and which documents each one needs.

Who is responsible

Kenya's Engineers Board regulates consulting engineers and firms. A remote design partner can prepare or check documents, but local responsibility for engineering sign-off has to sit with the appropriately registered professional. Name that person in the appointment before design starts.

Need a second check on your documents?

We provide scoped MEP design and document review from India, alongside your registered local team. Discuss your Kenya project, or read the related guide to fire safety rules in Kenya.

Sources: Legal Notice No. 47 approving the National Building Code 2024, NCA: launch of the National Building Code 2024, Kenya Law: engineers registration rules. Confirm current requirements against the gazetted text and with your responsible professional.