NAIROBI, Kenya – The 16-storey building that collapsed in South C, Nairobi on Friday had been flagged at least three times by county enforcement teams for exceeding approved construction limits, raising fresh questions about compliance and oversight in Kenya’s construction sector.
The National Construction Authority (NCA) confirmed the project was non-compliant at the time of collapse, with the developer, Abyan Consulting Limited, operating on an expired licence.
Ignored Warnings
According to the Nairobi County Government Urban Planning Department, the project was flagged in May, July, and December 2025.
Contractors were directed to halt development, resubmit plans for re-evaluation, and comply within 14 days. Despite these directives, construction continued until the building came down early Friday morning.
At the time of collapse, reports varied on the number of floors under construction: the NCA cited the 16th floor, the county statement mentioned the 15th, while the Public Service Cabinet Secretary placed it at the 14th.
Arrests and Release
Police records show three individuals working at the site — Farah Hassan Jacub, Abdiaziz Hassan Jakub, and Wycliffe Omondi Onyango — were arrested in July 2025 but released days later on a KSh 20,000 cash bail.
NCA Investigation
The NCA confirmed investigations are underway to establish the cause of the collapse and accountability.
The authority revealed Abyan Consulting Limited’s annual practising licence, issued on August 1, 2023, expired on July 31, 2024, meaning the project was undertaken without valid authorisation.
Pattern of Construction Impunity
The incident adds to a troubling history of collapsed buildings in Kenya:
- Huruma Estate, Nairobi (2016): Over 37 people killed.
- Kiambu County (September 26, 2022): Building collapse left multiple fatalities.
- Juja Road Estate, Eastleigh (2023): Four people killed.
All these tragedies have been linked to construction impunity, poor enforcement, and disregard for safety standards.
