Kenyans on social media have been intrigued with photos showing the fast progress in the construction works of the late Kelvin Kiptum family’s house in Elgeyo Marakwet County,
President William Ruto sent engineers to the home of the late marathoner, with instructions to build a three-bedroom house. The house is being built on a four-acre farm which Kiptum had bought about 16km (10 miles) from the family home in the Rift Valley, where he was planning to construct his home later this year.
Vatsu is a company specialized in construction services, offering services including drilling and light gauge steel. Part of the technology in the three-bedroom house under the development is the use of light-gauge steel (LGS) set to enable the site contractors deliver the house in limited timeline.
The technology involves utilizing thin steel sheets to build various components of a house, including walls, roofs, floors, and other structural elements. Various shapes of steel bars are produced at a manufacturing facility and then transported to the construction site for assembly.
Structural engineers assemble the different steel parts according to the house plan, creating a framework that mimics the structure of the house. Subsequently, another team comes in to fill the skeleton with gypsum and cement to give it shape.
According to a Vatsu official who spoke to at an interview, the team on site is currently finalizing the skeleton and will later pave way for filling with gypsum. Upon completion of the structure, the house will be fitted with other complements including tiles to give it aesthetic value.
Light gauge steel (LGS) is significantly lighter than conventional structural steel, simplifying transportation and installation and resulting in cost savings on labour and construction.
The structures can also be constructed at a faster pace compared to traditional wood or concrete buildings because the majority of their components are prefabricated and then assembled on-site.
LGS is today used for residential homes, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and even agricultural buildings, according to the contractor.
