Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has called for urgent action over poor oversight that he says contributed to the collapse of a building in South C, Nairobi County.

Taking to X on Friday, January 2, 2026, Owino issued a public statement highlighting the risks posed by unauthorised construction and weak enforcement of safety standards.

“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 families in anguish and emergency teams scrambling for survivors,” he posted on his X account.

“Emergency responders including the Kenya Red Cross, National Disaster Management Unit, National Police Service, as this message is issued. 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.”

“We note with grave concern reports suggesting that this structure was originally approved for fewer floors, and that unauthorised additional floors were added, allegedly facilitated through bribes to the Governor and other Nairobi City County officials. These allegations point to institutional corruption, where life-safety standards are sacrificed for profit and political convenience.”

Transparent probe

Owino condemned any corruption or bribery that undermines building safety and public trust. He called for a full, transparent investigation, immediate suspension of suspicious developments, and prosecution of those responsible.

“Lives cannot be rebuilt. But systems can,” he said.

Nairobi faces construction crisis

The building collapsed early on Friday morning in the South C Shopping Centre area. The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that multi-agency emergency teams had been deployed to manage the situation. Thick dust and debris filled the streets, forcing nearby residents and business owners to leave their homes and shops.

Nairobi police commander George Seda said rescue teams were working to locate possible casualties. Officers at the scene reported that the security guards on duty had not been found, and efforts to account for them were ongoing. One guard told police he heard a loud bang and rushed to help an injured man.

The collapsed building stood next to other structures that were also under construction, raising fears for safety in the area.

This incident is part of a growing pattern of construction failures in Nairobi. On July 31, 2025, a wall collapsed at a construction site on Rhapta Road, injuring several workers. Earlier, in February 2025, a three-storey building in Parklands collapsed, killing one person.

Langata Member of Parliament Phelix “Jalango” Odiwuor also visited the site and called on authorities to suspend all construction activities in South C and Nairobi West wards. Speaking via Facebook, he said the collapse along Muhoho Road left several people trapped under rubble and expressed concern for the safety of those affected.

“Our greatest concern is the safety of those affected, and we pray that no lives have been lost. We unequivocally demand the immediate and total suspension of all construction activities in South C and Nairobi West wards,” he said.

Jalango added that construction should only resume after full safety audits, approvals, and compliance verifications, and urged responsible agencies to act with urgency, transparency, and accountability.