I recently conducted research and wrote a thesis titled ‘Towards Net Zero Carbon: Exploring the Potential of Engineered Wood in Kenya’s Construction Industry.' While the bulk of the research involved looking at the carbon superiority of wood in comparison to conventional construction materials in Kenya, I also sought to understand why timber as a building material is yet to be mainstreamed in the local construction sector. To answer this all-too-important question, I sought the perspective of players in the construction industry: architects, structural engineers, quantity surveyors, and contractors.

According to most, the unavailability and high cost of quality-grade timber were prohibitive factors, unsurprising considering logging in most forests has been banned and timber yards have resorted to importing timber from the larger East African region. What I found surprising, however, was the fact that timber bears the uncanny perception of a ‘poor man’s building material.’ I was taken aback. Turns out, there’s a background.

You see, most of us come from villages where mud and timber houses are the norm. In places like that, stone-and-mortar-built houses are the ultimate status symbol. Therefore, when well-educated kids finally make it, building a stone house with a staircase is the decisive middle finger to poverty. If a thought to build a timber house ever crossed their minds, they would knock their heads on a rock countlessly and claim bewitching by, 'maadui wa nyumbani.’ When most people think of a timber house, the impression created in their minds is that house in Khwisero they’d pay top dollar to forget. But is timber really a poor man’s material?

In all of history, timber is perhaps the most consequential building material. It is as old as time itself. The Biblical Noah insists you are here because of the exploits of timber as a building material. It was the mainstay of Jesus’ life, and his earthly father before him. Timber has built picturesque bridges in Japan, clad famous amphitheaters in London, and has been employed in the construction of award-winning homes all over the world. It can be used to build beautiful residential homes in Njiru and Juja Farm. Timber houses can be this And folks, this is certainly not poor. Or is it?

Blog

Managed Right, Forests Can Be Both Protected and Productive

Not Poor, Just Misunderstood: Timber’s Place in a Net Zero Future