The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed an immediate investigation into the collapse of a multi-storey building under construction in Nairobi’s South C estate, which occurred on January 2, 2026.

In a press statement issued on January 4, 2026, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) expressed deep concern over the incident.

“The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has taken note of reports appearing in both mainstream and social media, of the tragic collapse of a 16-storey building in South C, Nairobi, which occurred on 2nd January 2026, with the greatest of concerns,” the statement read.

The DPP extended sympathies to affected families, stating, “The DPP empathizes with family members of those that were and are still trapped under the debris of the collapsed building, and sends to each of them his most sincere sympathies.”

Seven-day investigation timeline

To ensure accountability, the DPP instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to expedite probes.

“Towards holding every person who enabled the unsafe construction to account, whether public or private individuals, the DPP has directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to immediately initiate and 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 from today,” the DPP added.

The directive includes recording statements from all key parties. “The DPP has directed the IGP to record statements from all relevant persons including the developer and the contractor, and the persons responsible for the relevant building and construction approvals, inspections and enforcement, and forward the resultant file for perusal and action within 7 days from the date hereof.”

The ODPP reiterated its commitment, saying that it remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens in accordance with the rule of law, public interest and the administration of justice.

Rescue efforts continue

The building, developed by Abyan Consulting Limited, collapsed in a pancake manner early on January 2, trapping workers and security personnel. Rescue operations, involving multi-agency teams including the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU), Kenya Defence Forces, and Kenya Red Cross, entered their third day on January 4.

By Sunday afternoon, one body had been retrieved from the debris, with searches continuing for at least one more person believed trapped. Incident Commander Duncan Onyango Ochieng confirmed progress but noted operations remain delicate due to risks to adjacent structures.

County and national oversight

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja visited the site on January 4 after returning from out of town. “I was away. This is the first place I have come to so that I can see what the disaster response teams are doing,” he said. Sakaja defended his administration, stating approvals were properly issued but enforcement faced challenges.

The county had flagged the building at least three times in 2025 for infractions, including adding extra floors beyond the approved 12 and resisting inspections.

Sakaja highlighted cases where developers initially used qualified professionals for approvals but later switched to less qualified workers during construction. He renewed calls for counties to receive prosecutorial powers, noting current limitations lead to dropped charges or minimal fines.

Leaders such as Embakasi East MP Babu Owino have called for swift probes into oversight failures. The National Construction Authority and other agencies are part of ongoing multi-sectoral investigations.