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Residents of South C protested at Ardhi House, demanding accountability for a January building collapse that killed two. They issued a seven-day ultimatum for the release of investigation findings and called for legal action against those involved in the project. Concerns over safety standards in high-rise developments were also raised during the protests.
Africa-Press – Kenya. South C residents staged protests on Monday, April 20, demanding accountability over the collapse of a 16-storey building along Muhoho Avenue in January that left two people dead.
Led by the South C Residents Association, the demonstrators briefly disrupted operations at Ardhi House, accusing authorities of delaying action months after the tragedy.
They are demanding the release of findings from a multi-agency investigation into the incident, which involved the National Construction Authority (NCA), National Building Inspectorate (NBI), Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS), and Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK).
They issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government to publicise the investigation findings, warning of further action if their demands are not met.
“We are going directly to the national government and if they do not listen to us, we will march up to State House. We are ready and we will not be afraid. We will not allow deaths to continue,” said Marriam Kalekye, a South C resident.
The residents also called for legal action against all parties involved in the project, including developers, consultants and officials linked to approvals.
“We are going to fight to the last minute and we will ensure that these landlords are taken to court, a case is opened, they are prosecuted and justice flows,” said activist James Mulamba.
In addition, they allege that some developments have proceeded without proper approvals or environmental impact assessments, despite multiple petitions submitted to authorities.
The group raised concerns over a nearby 15-storey structure, which they claim exceeds approved height limits and poses a safety risk.
They demanded that authorities either demolish the building or provide official assurance that it meets required safety standards.
Residents have called for the Nairobi City County Government and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to strictly enforce building codes.
The protests come amid broader concerns over multiple building collapses as high-rise developments increase across the city.
Building collapses have become a significant concern in Nairobi, particularly as the city experiences rapid urbanization and an increase in high-rise developments. The tragic incident in January, which resulted in fatalities, has heightened public scrutiny over construction practices and regulatory oversight. Residents are now demanding stricter enforcement of building codes and accountability from authorities to prevent future tragedies. The protests reflect a growing frustration among citizens regarding safety and governance in the construction sector.
