NAIROBI, Kenya – Rescue teams on Wednesday recovered a second body from the rubble of the collapsed South C building in Nairobi, nearly a week after the multi-storey structure caved in.
The body was retrieved at around 3:30pm, marking the near conclusion of search and rescue operations that began on January 2, when the 16-storey building collapsed, trapping occupants beneath debris and reigniting concerns over lax oversight in the capital’s construction sector.
Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, who visited the site, confirmed that only two people were trapped in the building at the time of the collapse and that a third individual managed to escape without injuries.
“We are here six days after the incident. Today at 3:30pm, we recovered the second body of the security guard. We can now confirm that there were two people involved, and the third escaped unhurt,” Wahome said.
She warned that accountability would follow once investigations are concluded, noting that early findings point to illegally added floors as a key factor in the collapse.
“We are still gathering evidence, and we will take action against those behind the collapse. We are awaiting the National Construction Authority (NCA) report, and there are people who will have to carry the cross,” Wahome said.
She added that the government would crack down on poorly constructed buildings and unqualified construction professionals operating in the sector.
The Lands CS also faulted Nairobi County officials for approving the extra floors, describing the approvals as a major failure of oversight.
She said the names of the officials involved would be made public once the NCA finalises its report.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said the site would remain secured to allow investigators to complete their work, even as access roads blocked by debris were gradually reopened.
“Two roads that were closed by debris are now being reopened. However, the incident site will continue to be secured for investigations,” Ruku said.
South C MCA Abass Khalif demanded swift action against those responsible, warning that other buildings in Nairobi could pose similar risks if left unchecked.
He said the county assembly would push for a comprehensive audit of all approved and ongoing construction projects in the city.
“When we open the assembly on February 14, we are going to summon the CEC for planning, chief officers, directors — all of them. If something like this can happen, what if it was a school day at Kongoni Primary School nearby?” Khalif said.
Detectives investigating the collapse have issued summons to all parties involved in the project, following directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Authorities are now awaiting a detailed technical report to establish the precise cause of the collapse and determine the next legal steps.
The January 2 incident left two people trapped and raised serious questions about whether the building had received proper approvals from Nairobi County authorities.
The project’s developer, Abyan Consulting Limited, has maintained that all required approvals were obtained from both county and national agencies before construction began.
In the aftermath, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja renewed calls for the return of prosecution powers to county governments, arguing that stronger enforcement is needed to curb illegal and substandard construction.
Local leaders have also warned that the architect behind the project could face deregistration if investigations establish criminal responsibility.
Three days after the collapse, the first body was retrieved and later identified as Ali Adan Galgalo, a security guard. He was buried at Lang’ata Muslim Cemetery.
