Authorities have stepped up investigations into the collapse of a multi-storey building under construction at Plot No. L.R. Parcel No. 209/5909/10 in South C, Nairobi, which happened in the early hours of January 2, 2026.
In a press statement dated Friday, the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) expressed condolences to the families affected by the collapse and outlined steps being taken to find out what went wrong. EBK officers visited the site on January 5 to start investigations.
“We are in contact with the two Engineers involved to establish their specific roles in the design and construction supervision of the project,” the statement said.
The Board said it will soon appoint an independent panel of expert engineers to determine the technical cause of the collapse and ensure compliance with the Engineers Act, 2011.
The building, a 14-storey development with a basement, suffered a complete pancake-type collapse, according to a government engineering brief.
At least two people were confirmed dead and their bodies recovered by rescue teams, which concluded search and rescue operations before handing the site over for investigations.
Non-compliant
Officials from the National Construction Authority (NCA) and Nairobi City County have said the project was non-compliant with regulations and was cited for violations three times in 2025, but construction continued.
The EBK statement reminded developers, contractors, county governments, and financial institutions that projects of this scale involve many stakeholders with distinct responsibilities.
“Contractors are expected to demonstrate technical competence, county governments to provide effective oversight and ensure compliance with set standards, and financial institutions to safeguard value for money,” the Board noted.
The collapse has sparked a wider debate about the enforcement of building standards in Kenya’s capital. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has renewed calls for county governments to have prosecutorial powers so they can act swiftly against developers who breach regulations.
Local groups, including the South C Residents Association, also say warnings about unsafe development approvals were raised long before the incident and demand strong action to prevent similar tragedies.
The EBK reiterated that it remains committed to public safety and professional accountability and will work with all industry stakeholders to prevent future infrastructure failures and ensure long-term sustainability.
“Strict adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines by all the players is therefore fundamental to the delivery of safe and sustainable infrastructure,” the statement said.
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