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South C building collapse: Construction managers list 4 areas probe should focus on
02nd January, 2026 05:45 PM
As Kenya struggles to come to terms with the 16-storey building in South C that collapsed, the Association of Construction Managers of Kenya (ACMK) has breathed fire.
In a two-page statement shared on X, ACMK called for a thorough, independent, and multi-agency investigation to establish what went wrong before the structure came down.
The professional body said the tragic incident, which occurred while the building was still under construction, had resulted in loss of lives and injuries, warning that such disasters point to deeper systemic failures within the construction sector.
ACMK stressed that the matter should not be handled casually or selectively.
In its statement, the association noted that investigators must move beyond surface-level conclusions and interrogate the process from planning to execution.
Approvals and designs
According to ACMK, the first area investigators should focus on is whether due processes and statutory approvals were followed.
“Investigations must clearly establish whether approvals and building codes were complied with in the approved building plans submitted for construction,” the statement said in parts.
The association further urged investigators to establish whether the designs were prepared, reviewed, and approved by duly registered and qualified professionals, as required by law.
It warned that shortcuts at the design stage often lay the groundwork for catastrophic failure later.
ACMK also raised concerns over whether the project underwent the full statutory approval process before construction commenced.
“Whether the project underwent the full statutory approval process prior to commencement of construction works must be clearly established,” the statement added.
Oversight and accountability
The fourth area, ACMK said, should be whether construction works were carried out strictly in accordance with the approved designs, specifications, and conditions of approval.
Any deviation, it noted, could have compromised the structural integrity of the building.
Beyond investigations, the association called on regulatory and enforcement authorities to exercise firm and uncompromised oversight.
“The safety of citizens and the integrity of the built environment must at all times be upheld,” ACMK stated, adding that professional standards and ethical practice should never be negotiable.
As a professional body, ACMK reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening professionalism and accountability within the construction industry.
It said it would continue advocating for stricter enforcement of construction regulations to prevent similar tragedies.
The South C collapse has reignited public debate around safety, corruption, and enforcement in Kenya’s booming construction sector, with many now watching closely to see whether accountability will finally follow.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino is among the leaders who have condemned the collapse, stating that all those who are responsible must be held accountable.
