NAIROBI, Kenya – Members of Parliament have demanded an immediate suspension of construction activities in parts of Nairobi following the collapse of a 16-storey building under construction in South C on Friday, January 2, 2026.
The building gave way at around 5 a.m. along Muhoho Road in Lang’ata Constituency, leaving at least two people trapped under the rubble.
Emergency response teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, the National Disaster Management Unit (NMDU), and the National Police Service, were deployed to search for survivors.
Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, described the incident as both tragic and unacceptable. He called for a temporary stop to all construction in South C and Nairobi West wards until thorough safety audits and compliance checks are carried out.
“This is a tragic and unacceptable way to begin the year. A 16-storey building collapsed along Muhoho Road in South C, leaving several people trapped beneath the rubble,” Jalang’o said.
He emphasized that construction should only resume after approvals, inspections, and verifications by all relevant authorities.
Meanwhile, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino linked the collapse to weak oversight and alleged corruption at Nairobi City County.
He claimed the building was originally approved for fewer floors, with additional storeys reportedly added unlawfully. Babu called for a full, independent investigation into all approvals and inspections related to the project.
He further urged the suspension of approvals for undocumented or suspicious developments across Nairobi and demanded the prosecution of any officials, developers, or professionals found responsible for enabling unsafe construction.
“We demand stronger enforcement mechanisms in Nairobi City County to ensure every structure meets the highest safety standards. Lives cannot be rebuilt, but systems can. Let this disaster spur the reforms Nairobi has long needed, so we never again mourn deaths that could have been prevented,” Owino said.
At the time of reporting, rescue operations were ongoing to locate the two individuals trapped in the rubble. Authorities also raised concerns that a nearby building could collapse due to structural movements caused by the incident.
The NMDU confirmed that rescue teams were proceeding with caution, and the structural integrity of the adjacent building will only be assessed by the National Construction Authority (NCA) once the first and ground floors are cleared. Residents in the area have been urged to remain alert as a precaution.
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