Nairobi, Kenya — The South C Residents Association has described the recent collapse of a 16-storey building in South C, Nairobi, as both foreseeable and preventable, citing years of warnings to local authorities about unsafe development practices.
Speaking on behalf of the Association, Chairperson Dr. Abdulmalik said that residents had repeatedly raised concerns with the Nairobi County Government regarding approvals of developments that contravened zoning, density, and height guidelines.
“The approval of developments contrary to applicable zoning, density, and height guidelines within South C, persistent disregard of building lines and standards, failure to carry out effective site inspections during construction, and weak prosecution outcomes have all contributed to unsafe structures,” Dr. Abdulmalik said.
South C Resident’s Association statement on collapsed building.
The Association emphasized that the collapse should serve as a decisive turning point for Nairobi’s urban planning and regulatory framework, urging authorities to conduct thorough investigations and hold accountable those responsible for lapses in enforcement.
“This tragedy must catalyze stronger enforcement of building codes, rigorous site inspections, and effective legal action against violations,” the Association added.
As Nairobi residents mourn the disaster, local authorities face pressure to review and strengthen regulations, ensuring that such preventable incidents do not recur, particularly in high-density urban areas like South C.
