NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 4 — The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to expedite investigations into the collapse of a 16‑storey building in South C, Nairobi, and to submit a detailed report within seven days for further legal action.
The directive follows the tragic collapse on January 2, 2026, when the under‑construction building pancaked in the early hours, trapping at least two people under rubble and prompting a multi‑agency rescue effort.
In a statement, the DPP said he had taken note “with the greatest of concerns” of reports in mainstream and social media about the incident and expressed his **sympathies to families of those still trapped under the debris.
“Towards holding every person who enabled the unsafe construction to account, whether public or private individuals,” the DPP’s statement reads.
He directed the Inspector General of Police, “to immediately initiate or expedite investigations into the circumstances surrounding the said incident and to submit a comprehensive report thereon to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) within seven (7) days.”
PRESS STATEMENT ON INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE COLLAPSED BUILDING INCIDENT IN SOUTH C, NAIROBI.#HakiNaUsawa
What the Probe Will Focus On
Police investigators have been instructed to record statements from all relevant parties, including:
- The developer and contractor associated with the project
- Officials responsible for construction approvals, inspections and enforcement of building standards
- Any other individuals whose actions or inactions may have contributed to the unsafe structure
Once compiled, the investigation file must be sent to the ODPP for legal review and possible charges.
The DPP’s directive signals the possibility of criminal proceedings if culpability is established.
Public Safety and Enforcement Concerns
The collapse has reignited concerns about building regulation compliance, enforcement and public safety in Nairobi’s rapidly growing urban landscape.
Authorities have repeatedly warned that lax oversight and deviations from approved plans can endanger lives.
Nairobi City County records showed the collapsed site had been flagged multiple times for infractions months before the tragedy, with enforcement teams raising alarms about non‑compliance and unsafe construction practices.
Calls for Broader Investigations
In the aftermath, construction professionals and lawmakers have also urged independent and multi‑sector inquiries to determine the root causes of the collapse, beyond criminal liability, to prevent future disasters.
Governor Johnson Sakaja has called for enhanced prosecutorial powers at the county level and reiterated that the incident points to gaps in the enforcement of building regulations, including architects and engineers being sidelined in favour of cheaper, unqualified alternatives during construction.
One body has since been retrieved from the debris.
Regulatory Context and Compliance Issues
The NCA has described the South C project as non‑compliant at the time of the collapse, raising concerns about adherence to construction standards.
The building had been flagged by Nairobi City County enforcement teams multiple times in 2025 due to suspected violations of approved plans and building codes, but construction continued nonetheless.
Authorities are investigating whether deviations from approved plans, potential regulatory breaches, and professional oversight failures contributed to the tragedy. Police and the DPP have since ordered expedited investigations to determine liability.
The sole director and principal owner of Abyan Consulting Limited is Yussuf Mohamed Yussuf. The company also functioned as the contractor for the project, according to official records.
Professional Background of Yussuf Mohamed Yussuf;
- Civil and Structural Engineer: Yussuf Mohamed Yussuf is a seasoned civil and structural engineer with more than 15 years of experience in the design, supervision, and management of large‑scale infrastructure projects in both Kenya and the region.
- Education: He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (2003) from the University of Engineering & Technology, Taxila (Pakistan), a Master of Science in Civil Engineering (Structures, 2007) from the University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore (Pakistan), and an Executive MBA in Project Management (2005) from Preston University.
- Career: Yussuf has led project design and supervision for residential, commercial, and industrial structures. His professional roles included oversight of high‑rise buildings and infrastructure projects.
- Company Role: As CEO and Senior Civil Engineer at Abyan Consulting Ltd, he was responsible for project leadership and execution.
- Other Work: Yussuf has also worked on development projects in Somalia and Kenya, including as an IDP Resettlement Advisor with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and as a consultant under the UNDP/PREP programme focusing on infrastructure development.
