A multi-storey building under construction in South C, Nairobi, collapsed early Friday morning, raising fresh concerns over building safety and regulatory oversight in the city.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:00 a.m. on January 2, 2026, at a mixed-use development on Muhoho Avenue, Plot No. 68/1306, near South C Shopping Centre and Nairobi South Hospital.
The project had been approved for 12 storeys and registered with the National Construction Authority (NCA) on November 8, 2023, with all statutory approvals in place, including a valid NEMA licence, Nairobi County approvals, and a supporting geotechnical report.
Land Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome confirmed that while the project complied with inspections up to the third floor, four additional floors had been constructed beyond the approved plans at the time of the collapse, rendering the building non-compliant.
“Immediately following the collapse, the Ministry, in coordination with the Multi-Sectoral Agencies Consultative Committee (MSACC), activated full emergency response operations,” Wahome said. Rescue teams are working 24 hours a day, with five bulldozers deployed to clear the debris, while professional institutions conduct structural assessments of neighbouring buildings.
As of January 4, one adult male had been recovered from the rubble and confirmed dead. The MSACC team is finalising a preliminary report on the probable cause of the collapse.
The site has been visited by Public Service CS Hon. Ruku, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, and Nairobi County Woman Representative Esther Passaris.
In response to the incident, Wahome said the Ministry is developing a policy framework to address unauthorized construction of additional floors and will undertake a nationwide review of buildings.
The NCA will conduct a formal inquiry and compliance audit to ensure action is taken against non-compliant developments, in line with Section 22 of the NCA Act No. 41 of 2011.
“I commend the multi-agency teams for their swift, coordinated and tireless response, having been on site within an hour of the collapse and continuing their lifesaving efforts around the clock,” the Cabinet Secretary said.
The South C collapse has reignited calls from regulators, architects, and conservationists for stricter enforcement of building codes and closer supervision of construction projects across Nairobi.
