22-STOREY TOWER AT UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI|

PHOTO BEHIND:: 22-storey tower under construction at the University of Nairobi's main campus. Architects fear that the tower may make the two buildings beside it to sink. PHOTO/ MARITIM KIPNGETICH/ SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM

22-STOREY TOWER UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI ENDANGERS OTHER BUILDINGS

By Maritim Kipngetich

The current 22-storey tower under construction at the University of Nairobi’s main campus may endanger other buildings adjacent to it, the architects have said.

The tower, which is situated in between Mahatma Gandhi Wing and Education Building, may weaken the soil in the base of the two old buildings (Mahatma and Education buildings).

Furthermore, the building, which is currently in its 16^th floor in construction, is said to be at the top of a river. It is said that there used to be a river which ran all the way from Chiromo Campus, about one kilometre west of the university,  and it used to pass beneath the proposed tower.

Because of expansion of the city and the much needed space for construction of buildings, the river got extinct and it is believed to be in existence underground.

There is a stream which flows down from Chiromo campus, but it disappears at the university’s graduation square. It is said that the stream is part of the large river which used to flow through the university especially via an area where the current tower is situated.

Initially, when Mahatma Gandhi Wing was under construction, the architects were careful not to increase floors in the building. It is said that they knew the soil underground was weak and the building would collapse.

The tower, which is expected to house Vice Chancellor’s suite, administrators’ offices and several lecture halls with the capacity of 60 to 500 students, will be completed early next year.