Babu Owino Angrily Issues These Harsh Demands After The Collapse Of The South C Building

A tragic morning in Nairobi’s South C estate has left families in shock after a multi-storey building under construction collapsed, killing four people and leaving rescuers searching for others feared trapped under the rubble.

The incident happened early on January 2, 2026, near the Kiganjo–Muhoho Avenue junction, an area known for rapid high-rise growth.

County officials later clarified that the structure had 14 floors, not 16 as earlier reported. According to engineers on site, the building came down in a pancake-style collapse, where each floor crashes directly onto the next, giving victims little chance to escape.

Two construction guards and two Bolt drivers with passengers were confirmed dead.

A major rescue operation was launched immediately. Teams from the Nairobi City County Government, Kenya Defence Forces Disaster Response Battalion, National Youth Service, and the Nairobi Fire Brigade rushed to the scene.

Heavy equipment was deployed to lift slabs while specialised teams used sensors and laser tools to detect any movement in the debris.

Officials also declared a neighbouring 14-storey apartment high-risk after noticing possible structural instability caused by the impact of the collapse. Another 16-storey building close to the site is also being closely monitored.

Not long after the tragedy, political leaders demanded explanations from Nairobi’s construction authorities.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino criticised what he called a deep culture of bribery in the approval of unsafe buildings.

He insisted that many disasters in the city come from weak oversight and officials ignoring professional standards.

Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, announced an immediate stop to all construction activities in South C and Nairobi West until full safety audits are completed.

He said the area has become a hotspot for dangerous developments that put residents at risk.

Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai added fresh claims, alleging that the collapsed building was originally approved for only 12 floors but later grew to 17 after a multimillion-shilling bribe involving planning officers, engineers, architects, inspectors, and enforcement officials.

He accused the involved parties of gross negligence, corruption, and abuse of office, calling for arrests and charges.

Authorities confirmed that the site had already faced enforcement action several times in 2025.

A multi-agency team is now working to determine the exact cause of the collapse, verify how many people were at the site during the incident, and ensure the area is safe.