Abyan Consulting Limited, the company behind the multi‑storey building that collapsed in South C on January 2, has rejected claims that the project lacked approvals or failed to meet regulatory standards.
In a statement released on January 5, the firm said it was both the developer and contractor for the site and that reports questioning the project’s approval status were inaccurate and based on doctored documents.
The company said it received physical and land use planning approval from Nairobi City County on December 19, 2023, following an application submitted in October 2023. Approval for three additional floors was later granted on February 13, 2025.
Abyan said the National Construction Authority (NCA) registered the project and issued a certificate on November 8, 2023. The National Environment Management Authority granted an Environmental Impact Assessment licence on February 16, 2024.
Construction started in March 2024 after all approvals were in place, and the project was supervised by licensed architects and engineers. The company said it never received any stop orders from county or national authorities during construction.
Abyan Consulting said it is cooperating fully with investigations by Nairobi City County officials, national regulatory bodies, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations as authorities seek to determine what caused the collapse.
The building collapsed shortly after 4:00 a.m. on January 2 along Muhoho Road in South C estate. Emergency crews from the National Disaster Management Unit, Kenya Red Cross, Nairobi City County, and the National Police Service worked to search for survivors and recover victims.
Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said only two people, both security guards, were missing under the rubble. By January 4, one body had been recovered, and the search continued for the second person.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja called for reforms in enforcement, including restoring prosecutorial powers to county governments so local authorities can act against non‑compliant developers.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions ordered a formal investigation, directing the Inspector General of Police to interview all relevant parties and report back within seven days.
Some lawmakers have called for a temporary halt to certain construction activities in Nairobi until safety audits and compliance checks are carried out.
Separate reports suggested the building may have exceeded the floors originally approved and was flagged for violations at least three times before the collapse.
Investigators are examining both regulatory records and structural documentation as part of the probe. Authorities have not yet released a final cause for the collapse.
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