# 9. Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2013 National Building Maintenance Policy for Kenya

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Quick Link: <https://repository.kippra.or.ke/bitstream/handle/123456789/760/Sessional%20paper%20no%201%20of%202013%20on%20National%20building%20maintenance%20policy%20for%20kenya.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y>

·         The Policy document was formulated to ensure the proper maintenance of buildings. Maintenance works have been defined to include ‘inspection, testing, planning, organizing, servicing classification to serviceability, repair, refurbishment, re-building, rehabilitation, reclamation, renewal adaptation and setting standards.’

·         The policy acknowledges that maintenance of buildings and related infrastructure has been a neglected area in Kenya with maintenance works being done in an *ad hoc* fashion typified by few or no record keeping, low prioritization and low budgeting. This has resulted in sick buildings that are dilapidated, unhealthy and unsafe; decaying built environments and frequent hazards related to buildings.

·         It also identified the lack of a comprehensive integrated management framework that sets quantifiable and measurable standards; uncoordinated building maintenance decisions within institutions; lack of building maintenance policy and culture, existence of multiple out dated and conflicting legislations and regulations; relevant legislation being domiciled in different institutions that are given responsibility to ensure compliance; some institutions being unaware of their responsibility and lacking in capacity to enforce compliance; and inadequate maintenance resources such as national building stock, human, financial and tools to carry out, monitor and evaluate maintenance works.

·         Accordingly, the policy calls for: establishment of a comprehensive maintenance manual framework for existing and new buildings; development and review of maintenance building manuals for all buildings; development of a dissemination programme to sensitize stakeholders on national and international maintenance standards and guidelines; clarification of division of labour and decentralize maintenance information at the National and County Governments; formulation of maintenance plans, review, harmonization and enactment of maintenance legislation as well as set standards and guidelines for execution of maintenance work; harmonization and centralization of data on building maintenance works.

·         In the legal, policy and institutional framework, the Policy provides for the following policy statements:  a) Formulate a National Building Maintenance Policy by codifying the many existing policies. b) Review, harmonize, coordinate and consolidate existing fragmented institutional policies. c) Review, harmonize and repeal/ enact legislation on building maintenance to ensure conformity with constitution. d) Establish a body corporate with powers to formulate standards, implement and regularly review policies, legislations and regulations. e) Review and harmonize existing regulations to ensure conformity with emerging technologies and global trends.

·         In particular, the laws should provide a time scale for inspection of sanitation, building fabric, services and repair works and define maintenance roles of both parties with clear Dispute Resolution mechanisms.