For years, a quiet epidemic has been spreading through Kenya’s construction industry. Thousands of contractors have been operating with expired practising licences, paying their fees once, maybe twice, then simply… stopping. They continued bidding. They continued building. The regulator looked the other way.
That era is ending .
In a public notice issued on January 27, 2026, the National Construction Authority (NCA) issued a final warning that has sent shockwaves through the sector: any contractor who has not renewed their Annual Practising Licence for two consecutive years, as of January 1, 2026, faces immediate deletion from the national register . The deadline was February 10, 2026 .
But here is what many contractors do not realise: even if they paid their fees on time, they could still be caught in a different trap. The Continuous Professional Development (CPD) requirement.
The CPD Requirement That No One Is Talking About
Beyond payment of fees, contractors must also meet professional development requirements. The NCA has made it clear that renewal of an Annual Practising Licence will only be processed for contractors who have accrued at least ten (10) Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points, obtained through participation in NCA or NCA-accredited training seminars, as required under Regulation 14 of the NCA Regulations (2014) .
This is not optional. It is the law.
The logic is straightforward. A contractor who cannot be bothered to maintain professional standards should not be trusted to build a school, a hospital, or a home. The CPD requirement ensures that registered contractors are not just financially compliant but also technically current .
The Problem: Contractors Are Not Attending
Despite the clear requirement, uptake of NCA’s CPD programmes among contractors has been “not quite impressive” .
The authority has noted an average uptake of the trainings from contractors, despite popularisation of the seminars in mainstream media and on the NCA website. The legal framework, however, does not grant the authority powers to compel attendance, and this is seen as a down-dragging effort in ensuring compliance is achieved. Those who do not attend these trainings still sneak into construction without attaining minimum CPD points for subsequent licence renewal .
Why Are Contractors Avoiding CPD?
| Reason | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Lack of proper curriculum | The contractor training programme by NCA lacks proper coordination and is characterised by lack of proper curriculum, inadequate training structures and motivating strategies to enhance attendance |
| Contractors send representatives | Usually, these trainings are ignored by contractors, many of whom send their representatives rather than attending themselves |
| Curriculum not in tandem | The curriculum is not in tandem with rapidly changing trends in construction, presenting a challenge in compliance in the wake of emerging technology |
| Cost and time constraints | Contractors claim the cost and time required to attend seminars is a burden on their operations |
| Lack of awareness | Many contractors are not adequately sensitised on the NCA’s role, mandate, its regulations and the significance of complying with the regulations, a challenge that has left many contractors lacking the goodwill to comply with the regulations |
The Consequences Are Permanent
Here is the part that should make every non-compliant contractor pause.
Section 25(5) of the NCA Act stipulates that a contractor whose name has been deleted from the register shall not be registered afresh under any other name .
There is no restarting. No renaming the company and reapplying. No second chances. Once removed, you are out permanently .
The NCA Executive Director and Registrar of Contractors, Eng. Maurice Akech, made it clear that the enforcement drive is part of a broader effort to professionalise the construction sector and ensure only compliant firms participate in public and private projects .
What Happens If You Are Deleted?
| Consequence | Impact |
|---|---|
| Permanent removal | Your name is struck off the NCA Register of Contractors |
| No re-registration | You cannot re-register under a different name |
| Loss of eligibility | You lose the right to undertake any construction works as a registered contractor |
| No tenders | Government and county projects are closed to you |
| Business collapse | For most contractors, this is effectively a death sentence |
What Contractors Must Do Now
The deadline may have passed, but the issue is not over. Enforcement is ongoing, and many contractors are still at risk.
Immediate Actions:
1. Check your status immediately
Log into the NCA portal at https://portal.nca.go.ke to verify your registration status and ensure your practising licence is current .
2. Check your CPD points
Confirm that you have accumulated at least 10 CPD points through attendance at NCA or NCA-accredited seminars .
3. If you are short on points, act now
NCA and NCA-accredited providers run sessions regularly. Register for upcoming accredited webinars or in-person seminars. NCA’s Annual Contractors’ Training sessions award 10 CPD points per session .
4. Clear outstanding fees
Settle all outstanding annual renewal fees through the NCA online portal .
5. Document everything
Keep records of CPD attendance certificates, receipts, and all correspondence with NCA. You may need these if your status is questioned.
How to Earn CPD Points
The NCA runs annual training CPD seminars for all registered contractors with the aim of enhancing their technical and managerial skills. The seminars are sector-based and tailored to address various capacity building needs in each of the classes of works .
Additionally, contractors can earn CPD points if they engage apprentices and train workers . This is an incentive for contractors to invest in their workforce while meeting their own professional development requirements.
All renewals must be processed exclusively through the NCA online portal at portal.nca.go.ke .
The Bigger Picture
The NCA crackdown on non-compliance is not a temporary blip. It is a permanent shift toward enforcement, accountability, and professionalism in Kenya’s construction sector .
Recent reports indicate that nearly 87% of audited buildings in certain areas were found non-compliant . The NCA is moving to professionalise the industry by ensuring only licensed, active firms are permitted to operate .
Recent building collapses—including a 14-storey building in South C and another in Karen—have highlighted the consequences of a poorly regulated industry. NCA registration is a mandatory legal requirement to undertake any construction works in Kenya, whether public or private. Yet thousands of contractors have been operating without valid licences, flying under the radar, bidding for tenders, and building structures .
The regulator is finally catching up. And the message is unambiguous: non-compliance will no longer be tolerated.
For contractors, the question is simple: is your name going to be one of those deleted from the register?
| Key Data Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Regulator | National Construction Authority (NCA) |
| Deadline | 10th February 2026 |
| Legal basis | Section 25(1)(c) of the NCA Act |
| Consequence | Permanent deletion from register; cannot be re-registered under another name |
| Requirements | Clear outstanding fees + 10 CPD points |
| CPD requirement | Regulation 14, NCA Regulations (2014) |
| CPD points needed | 10 points |
| Processing portal | portal.nca.go.ke |
| Number of affected contractors | Thousands |
| Buildings classified as unsafe | 87% of audited buildings |
| Key official | Eng. Maurice Akech, Executive Director & Registrar of Contractors |
