Kenya's Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 2007 places clear legal obligations on employers regarding fire safety and emergency preparedness. Yet a surprising number of Nairobi businesses remain non-compliant — often unknowingly.
The Legal Requirements
Every workplace with 20 or more employees must have: a designated fire warden per floor, a written fire evacuation plan, fire extinguishers inspected annually, and at least two fire drills per year. Buildings over 4 storeys require a documented emergency response plan filed with the County Fire Department.
The Cost of Non-Compliance
Beyond the human cost of an unmanaged fire emergency, OSHA penalties for non-compliance range from KES 300,000 to criminal charges against the company director personally. In the event of a fatality due to demonstrated negligence, prosecution becomes almost inevitable.
What a Good Fire Warden Programme Looks Like
LIKONET's fire warden service provides certified wardens, drill facilitation, evacuation plan drafting and annual compliance reviews. Our wardens are trained to OSHA standards and hold certificates recognised by the County Fire Department.