Lives cannot be rebuilt: Babu Owino demands probe after South C building collapse
By Ascah Mwango, January 2, 2026Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has called for a full and independent investigation into the collapse of a 16-storey building under construction in South C, Nairobi County, describing the incident as a tragic failure of oversight and enforcement.
The collapse occurred in the early hours of Friday, January 2, 2026, along Muhoho Road near the South C Shopping Centre.
In his statement, Owino said the tragedy had left families in anguish and once again exposed the high cost of weak oversight, poor enforcement of building regulations and suspected corruption within Nairobi City County.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the collapse of the 16-storey building under construction in South C, Nairobi County, an incident that has left families in anguish and emergency teams scrambling for survivors. Emergency responders, including the Kenya Red Cross, National Disaster Management Unit, and National Police Service, as this message is issued. This tragedy, coming just days into the new year, is a painful reminder of the cost of weak oversight, poor enforcement, and suspected corruption in Nairobi City County,” Babu Owino stated.
He noted concerns that the building may have been approved for fewer floors before additional storeys were added without proper authorisation.
The MP warned that such practices point to institutional corruption in which safety standards are sacrificed for profit and convenience. He condemned bribery, irregular approvals and what he termed a culture of impunity that allows county officials, developers and professionals to escape accountability even when lives are put at risk.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms: •Any corruption or bribery that undermines building safety and public trust. •Approvals granted without full compliance with technical and legal requirements. •A culture of impunity where county officials, developers, and professionals escape accountability.”
Owino demanded a transparent probe into all approvals and inspections carried out at both the county and national levels. He also called for the immediate suspension of approvals for undocumented or suspicious developments until comprehensive safety audits are completed.
He further urged the prosecution of all individuals found to have enabled unsafe construction, whether they are public officials, private developers or professionals in the built environment. According to the legislator, stronger enforcement mechanisms are needed to ensure every structure in Nairobi meets required safety standards, regardless of political or financial connections.
Emergency response teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, the National Disaster Management Unit, the National Police Service and Nairobi City County officials, were deployed to the scene to conduct search and rescue operations.
The area was cordoned off as rescuers combed through the rubble amid fears that people could still be trapped. At least one injured person was rescued as operations continued, with authorities yet to confirm the full number of casualties.