NAIROBI, Kenya — The collapse of a 16‑storey building under construction in South C, Nairobi, has sparked widespread concern and allegations that corruption, regulatory failures and weak enforcement played a role in the deadly disaster.
Officials and lawmakers say the tragedy highlights systemic weaknesses in planning and oversight that may have allowed unsafe construction to proceed.
Approved for Fewer Floors Than Built
Documents from Nairobi City County show the project was approved for 12 floors, but work on the site had reached up to 14 or more levels before the collapse — and local reports indicate it had extended to 16 storeys.
Such deviations from approved plans raise questions about how extra floors could be built without proper clearance or scrutiny.
Stop Order Ignored, Officials Under Scrutiny
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku confirmed that a stop‑work order was issued in August 2025 after county authorities discovered unauthorized construction beyond the approved limit, but these directives were reportedly ignored.
Preliminary government investigations are probing whether the deviations contributed to structural overload that led to the collapse.
Critics argue that such a blatant breach of regulations, adding extra floors beyond approved limits, would not have been possible without some form of complicity or negligence by officials responsible for enforcement, compliance, and approvals.
NCA has identified Yussuf Mohamed Yusuf as the owner of the South C building that collapsed on Jan 2.The Authority says the project was non-compliant, with investigations and rescue operations ongoing.ynews.digital/headline-1/nca…
Allegations of Bribes and Corrupt Practices
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai alleges that the developer paid bribes to county planning officials to obtain illegal approvals for additional floors, though these specific claims have not yet been formally confirmed by authorities.
If proven, these allegations could point to entrenched institutional corruption where life‑safety standards are compromised in favour of profit or influence.
Voices Calling for Accountability
Several political figures have linked the tragedy to corruption and lax oversight:
- MP Babu Owino condemned corruption and called for a full, transparent investigation into all approvals, inspections, and regulatory processes related to the collapse.
- He demanded accountability and stronger enforcement, including suspension of permits for non‑compliant developments until proper safety audits are completed.
- MCA Robert Alai urged police and prosecutors to charge county officials, developers and professionals involved in the project with criminal negligence, institutional corruption, or manslaughter, arguing that violating building regulations reflects deeper systemic issues in Nairobi’s planning departments.
- South C MCA Abass Khalif pointed to negligence and oversight failures within the County’s Urban Planning Department and called for an urgent review of building approvals and stronger monitoring of ongoing construction activities.
These voices reflect growing public outrage that regulatory systems may have failed to protect residents, despite repeated warnings about unsafe construction practices in Nairobi’s rapidly expanding urban landscape.
South C Resident’s Association statement on collapsed building.
What Investigations Are Focusing On
Ongoing investigations by Nairobi County Government and national authorities are examining multiple aspects:
- Whether approved plans were altered without proper permissions.
- How enforcement bodies responded to breaches and stop orders.
- Whether officials and professionals responsible for inspection and approval followed legal procedures.
Authorities have vowed to hold all culpable parties — including developers, planners, inspectors and architects — accountable once investigations conclude.
