Labor costs rise as Kenya's construction sector increases after elections – Xinhua

NAIROBI, July 5 (Xinhua) – A boom in the construction sector in Kenya after political stability after last year's disputed elections saw labor costs rise then that the demand for bricklayers is increasing

in the sector, thanks to the current boom.

Political stability following the truce between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his rival in the Raila Odinga polls gave real estate developers the confidence to complete projects and start new ones

The nation is now flooded with projects construction, residential and commercial, in the capital and major cities.

But developers have to dig deeper into their pockets to separate US $ 25 per day for skilled masons and $ 15 for unskilled workers.

Labor costs went from about $ 20 and $ 10 respectively, or less. On the other hand, foremen and supervisors require up to $ 50 a day.

"It seems like everyone is building now, costs have increased dramatically as developers are desperate for bricklayers," Kitengela entrepreneur John Kyalo said Thursday.

Kyalo oversees the construction of a seven-story residential apartment.

Work began in November last year. Then he had no problem making masons at the price that he could afford, but from March of that year, he struggled.

"I started with 25 masons but now I'm working with 10 masons, he said of the house that is currently covered.He now pays skilled masons 18 dollars a day, as against 15 dollars when he started

"Those who left felt that I was paying low but I can not work beyond the budget." Initially, the promoters of Nairobi would import good labor. They would then pay the housing costs for the workers

but the cost of labor in the cities also increased thanks to the boom in the real estate sector. 19659002] The situation in Nairobi is exacerbated by the fact that

Antony Kuyo, a consultant at Avent Properties in Nairobi, noted that labor costs contribute about 30% of the total costs of the project. a project

which has become one of the reasons why housing costs are high, "he said.

Kenya's construction sector grew by 7.2 percent in the first quarter, according to Kenya's National Office. Statistics.