NAIROBI, Kenya — Residents of South C staged a peaceful protest on Monday, demanding accountability and urgent reforms in building safety following a deadly residential collapse earlier this year along Muhoho Avenue.
The demonstration, organised by the South C Residents Association, drew community members, local leaders, and activists, and culminated at Uhuru Park, where calls for stricter enforcement of construction regulations took centre stage.
Protesters warned that another building in the area is at risk of collapse, urging authorities to intervene immediately to prevent a potential disaster.
“We cannot wait for another tragedy. Authorities must act now,” one organiser said, reflecting growing anxiety among residents over structural safety in the neighbourhood.
The group called for comprehensive investigations into the earlier collapse and demanded that those responsible — including developers and regulatory officials — be held accountable.
The concerns echo warnings issued earlier this year by professional bodies, including the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), The Architects Alliance (TAA), and the Kenya Institute of Planners (KIP), which raised alarm over the structural integrity of buildings in the capital.
According to the professionals, more than 85pc of buildings in Nairobi may be unsafe for occupation — a figure that has intensified public concern and calls for systemic reform.
In their earlier address following the collapse of a 16-storey building in South C, the bodies urged immediate action against those involved in approving substandard construction, citing lapses in regulatory oversight.
Residents on Monday said enforcement failures — including weak inspections and possible corruption in approvals — continue to endanger lives, despite existing laws and regulations governing urban development.
Urban safety experts have long warned that rapid urbanisation, coupled with inadequate enforcement, has led to the proliferation of unsafe structures, especially in densely populated areas of Nairobi.
The South C Residents Association said the safety of residents must be prioritised, calling for stronger oversight, regular inspections, and transparent approval processes.
The unfolding situation places authorities under renewed scrutiny to address systemic weaknesses and restore public confidence in urban safety standards.
