The National Construction Authority (NCA) said the building, located near South C Shopping Centre and Nairobi South Hospital, was a proposed mixed-use development situated on Muhoho Avenue, plot number 68/1306, within South C Ward, Lang’ata Sub-County.
In a statement released on Friday, the authority revealed that the project had been registered with the NCA on November 8, 2023, but failed to meet regulatory requirements before the collapse occurred.
According to the NCA, Abyan Consulting Limited was listed as both the developer and contractor of the project. The firm was registered under NCA Category 4, which permits contractors to undertake limited-scale building works.
The authority further named the consultants involved in the project as architect Gideon Chege Mwangi, engineer Peter Kimani Kireu, and quantity surveyor James Kirika Njoroge.
Records indicate that Yussuf Mohamed Yussuf is the sole director of the contracting company.
Emergency response teams were deployed immediately after the incident was reported, with search-and-rescue operations launched in coordination with the National Police Service, the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU), and other emergency agencies.
Emergency response teams were deployed immediately after the incident was reported, with search-and-rescue operations launched in coordination with the National Police Service, the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU), and other emergency agencies.
Security personnel cordoned off the area as rescue teams worked through the debris in search of possible survivors.
Nairobi police commander George Seda confirmed that several people were feared trapped beneath the rubble, including security guards who were on duty at the site at the time of the collapse.
Nairobi police commander George Seda confirmed that several people were feared trapped beneath the rubble, including security guards who were on duty at the site at the time of the collapse.
One guard reportedly escaped and alerted authorities after hearing a loud bang and finding an injured man at the scene.
The collapse, which occurred before dawn, sent thick clouds of dust into surrounding streets, forcing nearby residents and business owners to evacuate their homes and premises as a precautionary measure.
National Disaster Management Unit director William Sifuna, who addressed the media at the scene, said the collapsed structure was a 14-storey building and that an adjacent building of similar height had also been affected.
“The pillars of the neighbouring building were damaged during the collapse, making the entire site extremely delicate,” Sifuna said.
The collapse, which occurred before dawn, sent thick clouds of dust into surrounding streets, forcing nearby residents and business owners to evacuate their homes and premises as a precautionary measure.
National Disaster Management Unit director William Sifuna, who addressed the media at the scene, said the collapsed structure was a 14-storey building and that an adjacent building of similar height had also been affected.
“The pillars of the neighbouring building were damaged during the collapse, making the entire site extremely delicate,” Sifuna said.
“Our teams are proceeding with caution to avoid further casualties while clearing debris and attempting to reach those suspected to be trapped.”
He added that at least four lives were suspected to be trapped beneath the rubble, although rescue teams had not yet reached them at the time of the briefing.
Political leaders who visited the site called for accountability and stronger enforcement of construction regulations.
He added that at least four lives were suspected to be trapped beneath the rubble, although rescue teams had not yet reached them at the time of the briefing.
Political leaders who visited the site called for accountability and stronger enforcement of construction regulations.
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino blamed weak oversight and alleged corruption within regulatory bodies, saying the tragedy could have been avoided.
“Lives cannot be rebuilt, but systems can,” Owino said, calling for a full, transparent investigation and the prosecution of all individuals found culpable.
Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix “Jalang’o” Odiwuor also toured the scene and urged authorities to suspend all ongoing construction activities in South C and neighbouring Nairobi West until comprehensive safety audits are conducted.
He warned that continued construction without proper inspections posed a serious risk to residents and workers, urging agencies to act with urgency and transparency.
The NCA said it has secured the site and launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
“Lives cannot be rebuilt, but systems can,” Owino said, calling for a full, transparent investigation and the prosecution of all individuals found culpable.
Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix “Jalang’o” Odiwuor also toured the scene and urged authorities to suspend all ongoing construction activities in South C and neighbouring Nairobi West until comprehensive safety audits are conducted.
He warned that continued construction without proper inspections posed a serious risk to residents and workers, urging agencies to act with urgency and transparency.
The NCA said it has secured the site and launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
The authority pledged to issue a comprehensive report once investigations are complete and reiterated its commitment to enforcing compliance within the construction sector.
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