NAIROBI, Kenya – Authorities have identified a neighbouring building as a high-risk structure in the wake of a multi-storey building collapse in South C, Nairobi, raising fresh safety concerns as rescue teams continue their operations.
The catastrophic incident occurred early on Friday, January 2, 2026, when a 16‑storey building under construction along Muhoho Avenue collapsed.
This prompted a major emergency response involving Nairobi City County officials, the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU), Kenya Defence Forces, National Youth Service, and the Kenya Red Cross.
Adjacent Building Identified as High Risk
In a situation report, Nairobi City County said an adjacent 16‑storey building has been declared high risk due to potential structural compromise caused by vibrations and impact from the collapse.
Specialized equipment, including theodolite and laser instruments, has been deployed to continuously monitor any movement, cracking, tilting, or ground subsidence in the neighbouring structure.
The monitoring aims to detect signs of instability, such as:
- Wall tilting or leaning columns
- Crack widening
- Floor sagging
- Alignment shifts or ground subsidence
If detected, such indicators can signal that a building is losing structural integrity and may be at risk of failure.
Safety Precautions and Evacuations
As a precaution, authorities have expanded the security cordon around the wreckage and evacuated nearby residents to reduce the risk of further casualties should the high‑risk building show signs of failure.
National Disaster Management Unit officials said the precautionary measures are necessary while structural engineers assess the building’s integrity.
Rescue operations at the collapse site have been conducted with caution, with some phases temporarily paused due to concerns about surrounding structures.
Background and Broader Safety Concerns
City Hall also noted that the collapsed structure had been previously flagged for multiple regulatory infractions in 2025, including in May, July and December, over suspected violations of approved construction standards.
Despite enforcement attempts, the project continued, culminating in the collapse.
The identification of another potentially unstable building has intensified scrutiny of construction supervision and compliance in Nairobi.
Experts warn that high‑rise projects need rigorous oversight to prevent similar disasters, especially in rapidly developing urban areas where housing demand has led to a surge in multi‑storey developments.
What Happens Next
Structural engineers and county officials will continue to monitor the adjacent building around the clock.
Should significant instability be detected, authorities may order further evacuations, enforce demolition orders, or take other safety measures to protect the public as rescue efforts proceed.
