NAIROBI, Kenya — Pressure is mounting for an independent investigation into the collapse of a 16-storey building in Nairobi’s South C estate after construction professionals and political leaders raised concerns over possible design flaws, regulatory failures, and corruption within the construction approval system.
The building collapsed early Friday morning along Muhoho Road, triggering a multi-agency rescue operation involving the Kenya Red Cross, the Kenya Defence Forces, police, Nairobi City County emergency teams and Kenya Power.
Authorities said two people are feared trapped beneath the rubble, though the number of casualties has not been confirmed.
“The area has been cordoned off as the National Disaster Management Unit, Nairobi City County, the National Police Service and the Kenya Red Cross continue search and rescue operations,” the Kenya Red Cross said in a statement on X.
The Association of Construction Managers of Kenya (ACMK) has called for an urgent, independent probe to establish the cause of the collapse and prevent similar incidents.
In a statement, ACMK Secretary General Moses Mwaura said the investigation should involve regulatory agencies, independent technical experts, and professional bodies.
“The investigation must clearly establish whether the architectural, structural and building services designs complied with applicable building codes; whether the designs were prepared, reviewed and supervised by duly registered professionals; whether the project underwent the full statutory approval process; and whether construction works were executed strictly according to approved designs and specifications,” Mwaura said.
ACMK warned that the incident highlights the dangers posed by shortcuts, non-compliance and weak enforcement in Kenya’s fast-growing construction sector.
“The safety of citizens and the integrity of the built environment depend on strict adherence to regulatory frameworks, professional engagement and effective enforcement of standards,” Mwaura added.
Lang’ata MP Felix ‘Jalang’o’ Odiwuor condemned the collapse, accusing developers of colluding with corrupt construction authorities and using political connections to bypass safety regulations.
He said he had repeatedly written to Nairobi City County over questionable developments in South C, without receiving any response.
“I’ve written more than 43 letters to the county government requesting information about some buildings that have been suspicious or do not have approval, but there has not been any response,” Jalang’o said. “Buildings are going on; some are questionable. Any time you ask, they tell you they know the who’s who in government.”
The MP also raised alarm over the speed at which some private high-rise developments are completed.
“Some of these buildings are going up in just over a year, yet government housing projects take about two years,” he said, calling the trend “alarming and indicative of systemic failure.”
Jalang’o demanded an immediate halt to all ongoing construction in South C pending a comprehensive review.
“We’re requesting that every single construction going on in South C stop so that a new evaluation can be done through the National Construction Authority, with approval from the county. We need a multi-agency approval before anything goes on,” he said.
Eyewitnesses at the scene criticised what they described as a slow initial response, claiming that earlier intervention could have increased the chances of survival for anyone trapped.
Authorities have sealed off the area to prevent further risk to the public as rescue operations continue.
The South C incident adds to a troubling pattern of building failures in Nairobi. In September 2023, a 10-storey residential building collapsed along Mirema Drive in Zimmerman, while in October 2024, an eight-storey building in Kahawa West collapsed after it had been condemned for demolition.
The cause of the South C collapse has not yet been established. Investigators are expected to begin structural and regulatory assessments once rescue operations are concluded.
