Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai has alleged that senior Nairobi County officials pocketed Sh25 million in bribes to illegally approve additional floors on the South C building that collapsed, killing at least six people.
The victims are reported to include two security guards, two Bolt drivers and their passengers who were near the building at the time of the collapse.
In a detailed exposé, Alai claimed the building, constructed on land parcel LR No. 209/5909/10, was originally approved for 12 floors but was later expanded by an additional five floors after county officials allegedly received bribes to overlook planning and safety regulations.
According to the MCA, the alleged Sh25 million was shared among officers within the Nairobi County Physical Planning and Development Control departments, enabling the developer to proceed with the illegal expansion despite clear violations of approved building plans.
Alai said those who should be held accountable include the Chief Officer in charge of Planning, the Director of Physical Planning (County Planner), assistant directors and development control officers, county building inspectors, the structural engineers, architects and quantity surveyors associated with the project, as well as the contractor, developer and property owner. He also named the Lang’ata Sub-County Enforcement Unit Commander as among officials who should be investigated.
“These officers enabled a dangerous structure to stand by trading public safety for bribes,” Alai said, arguing that the approvals amounted to institutional failure that ultimately cost lives.He further stated that potential charges arising from the incident could include manslaughter, criminal negligence, institutional corruption and systemic abuse of office.
Broadening his claims, the MCA alleged that illegal approvals across Nairobi County are being facilitated by a network of officials who allegedly allow unauthorised buildings and billboards to be erected in exchange for bribes.
He specifically mentioned Fredrick Ochanda, Patrick Analo and Osman Khalif as individuals who should be investigated in connection with the alleged scheme.
The Nairobi County Government had not immediately responded to the allegations by the time of publication. Investigations into the collapse are ongoing, with pressure mounting on county authorities and law enforcement agencies to establish responsibility for the approvals and enforce accountability.
The South C tragedy has renewed public scrutiny of corruption in county planning departments and raised questions about the enforcement of building regulations in the capital.