South C 16-Storey Building Collapse: What We Know So Far
A 16-storey building under construction in South C, Nairobi, collapsed on Friday morning, sparking a large-scale emergency response and reigniting concerns over construction safety standards in the capital.
Authorities, local leaders, and emergency teams are investigating the incident, while residents in the surrounding area remain anxious. Here is what is known so far.
Emergency Response Underway
Following the collapse, multiple agencies were deployed to the scene, including the Kenya Red Cross, the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU), Nairobi City County officials, and the National Police Service.
The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that emergency responders were dispatched early Friday morning to manage the situation and assess the damage.
“Early this morning, a building under construction collapsed in the Shopping Centre area of South C, Nairobi County,” the Red Cross said in a statement.
Police sniffer dogs have also been deployed amid fears that people may be trapped under the debris. The area remains cordoned off as rescue teams conduct a meticulous search.
Potential Victims Trapped
Reports from local officials indicate that several people may be trapped under the rubble. Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai claimed that at least two security guards and two Bolt drivers, along with passengers, could be affected.
Authorities have not officially confirmed any casualties, and details about the number of injured or trapped remain unclear.
Official Reactions
Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, has spoken out following the collapse of a 16-storey building under construction in South C, Nairobi, calling for urgent investigations and accountability.
In a statement issued on Friday, January 2, Owino expressed shock and sorrow over the incident, which has left Nairobi residents anxious and emergency teams scrambling for potential survivors.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the collapse of the 16-storey building under construction in South C, Nairobi County, an incident that has left Nairobians in anguish and emergency teams scrambling for survivors. Emergency responders, including the Kenya Red Cross, National Disaster Management Unit, and National Police Service, are on site as this message is issued,” he said.
The MP described the timing of the collapse as particularly painful, occurring just days into the new year, and argued that it exposed long-standing governance and regulatory failures within the county.
“This tragedy, coming just days into the new year, is a painful reminder of the cost of weak oversight, poor enforcement, and suspected corruption in Nairobi City County,” Owino added.
Owino also raised concerns over reports suggesting that the building may have exceeded its approved design, alleging that the addition of extra floors could have been facilitated through corrupt practices.
“We note with grave concern reports suggesting that this structure was originally approved for 12 floors, and that unauthorised additional four floors were added, allegedly facilitated through bribes. These allegations point to institutional corruption, where life-safety standards are sacrificed for profit and political convenience,” he said.
Condemning corruption and regulatory failures in the construction sector, Owino accused officials of benefiting from a culture of impunity that allows unsafe buildings to be erected without consequence.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms any corruption or bribery that undermines building safety and public trust; approvals granted without full compliance with technical and legal requirements; and a culture of impunity where county officials, developers, and professionals escape accountability,” he added.
Owino concluded his statement with four key demands:
- A full, transparent, independent investigation into the collapse, including all approvals and inspections at county and national levels.
- Immediate suspension of approvals for undocumented or suspicious developments until national safety audits and compliance checks are completed.
- Accountability and prosecution of all individuals found to have enabled unsafe construction, whether public officials, developers, or professionals in the built environment.
- Strengthened enforcement mechanisms in Nairobi City County to ensure all structures meet the highest safety standards.
Context: Past Building Safety Concerns in Nairobi
The South C collapse is the latest in a series of structural failures in Nairobi in recent years.
- September 2023 – A 10-storey residential building under construction along Mirema Drive, Roysambu, collapsed, damaging nearby structures. No casualties were reported, but investigations pointed to poor-quality structural concrete as a likely cause.
- October 2024 – An eight-storey building in Kahawa West collapsed. The building had previously been condemned for demolition, and tenants were being evacuated, minimizing injuries.
Weeks before the South C incident, the National Construction Authority (NCA) issued a public alert about structural defects in a high-rise residential project on Peponi Road in Westlands. The building, designed for 13 floors, showed signs of structural compromise, leading to immediate halting of construction and deployment of a multi-agency technical team to evaluate safety.
Cause of the Collapse
As of Friday, the exact cause of the South C building collapse remains unknown. Investigators are examining structural designs, construction practices, and adherence to approved plans. Authorities have also indicated that any irregularities in approvals and regulatory compliance will be scrutinized as part of the investigation.
Ongoing Safety Measures
Residents in the immediate vicinity have been advised to vacate as a precaution while emergency teams continue their work. The NDMU and Nairobi City County officials are coordinating efforts to secure the site, prevent further accidents, and assist potential survivors.
Emergency and rescue operations are expected to continue over the coming days as authorities work to ensure that no one remains trapped under the debris.
The Bigger Picture: Construction Oversight in Nairobi
The South C tragedy has reignited calls for reform in Nairobi’s construction sector. Lawmakers and safety advocates have repeatedly highlighted lapses in oversight, weak enforcement of building codes, and alleged corruption in approvals as factors contributing to unsafe developments.
Ongoing investigations into the collapse will likely focus not only on the immediate causes but also on the regulatory frameworks that allowed such a high-rise to be constructed under questionable conditions.
The South C building collapse is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by poor regulatory enforcement and possible corruption in Nairobi’s construction industry. With emergency teams working around the clock, the focus remains on rescuing any trapped individuals and ensuring accountability for all parties involved.
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South C 16-Storey Building Collapse: What We Know So Far