Operations were temporarily paralysed at Ardhi House after South C Residents Association members staged a peaceful protest urging Lands, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome to take urgent action following the collapse of a 16-storey building earlier this year.
The building under construction collapsed along Muhoho Avenue, leaving two people dead, with the group protesting continued inaction against the culprits.
The demonstrators under the auspices of South C Residents Association also raised safety concerns of an adjacent 15-storey building, Bridge Port Apartments that was partially damaged upon the caving in of the condemned building, alleging it has flouted building plan approvals.
“Our demands to the Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Hon. Alice Wahome. In light of the Ministry’s failure to provide updates, we hereby demand the following within seven (7) days: Publication of the Multi-Agency Inquiry Report. The CS must immediately release the findings of the multi-agency team (NCA, NBI, BORAQS, and EBK) regarding the collapse of Plot 68/1306. 2. Status report on Bridge Port Apartments (LR No. 209/5909/9),” a statement signed by the chairman of the South C Residents Association Abdi Karim Hassan read in part.
The group is now demanding either a public safety certification or an immediate demolition order for the structure, warning that failure to act could lead to another tragedy.
Further, the residents are demanding a public safety certification or a demolition order for the adjacent 15-storey building owned by Bridge Port Apartments Limited.
“This building was approved for 10 floors but stands at 15, with documented structural damage to its pillars,” the statement adds in part.
Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans, accusing authorities of remaining silent months after promising investigations into the deadly incident.
The residents expressed concern over the lack of updates regarding a multi-agency inquiry that was expected to be conducted by the National Construction Authority (NCA) in collaboration with other bodies.
In a statement issued on January 5, 2026, CS Wahome assured the public that a formal inquiry and a nationwide compliance audit would be undertaken to address unsafe buildings.
However, the residents said no findings have been made public, leaving many in fear.
“We are living next to a ticking time bomb,” one protester said, referring to the nearby Bridge Port Apartments, which they claim has structural damage and exceeds its approved height.
In addition, the residents want authorities to release the full report of the inquiry into the collapsed building, which had been approved for 12 floors but was reportedly extended to 16.
A joint assessment by the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) and the NCA previously pointed to professional negligence and disregard for regulations as key factors behind the collapse.
The association has also called for criminal proceedings against all those involved in the project, including the developer, Abyan Consulting Limited, county officials responsible for approvals and enforcement, and professional consultants such as architects and engineers.
Letters have already been sent to Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Mulele Ingonga and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja urging immediate legal action.
The residents are demanding criminal proceedings be initiated against the developer and contractor, Nairobi City County Technical Committee responsible for building approvals, County compliance and enforcement teams led by Patrick Analo who is the Urban Planning and Development Chief Officer who were supposed to oversee the project and the professional consultants on record.
Residents further accused enforcement agencies of fostering a culture of impunity, citing multiple enforcement notices issued in 2025 that failed to halt the illegal construction.
They also stated that some enforcement officers faced intimidation and attacks, while arrested site agents were quickly released and allowed to resume work.
Among their key demands is the blacklisting of rogue developers and professionals, as well as a comprehensive update on the nationwide building compliance audit promised by the government.
The protest comes amid wider concerns about building safety in Nairobi.
Industry professionals, including members of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, have warned that a number of buildings in the city may be structurally unsound, pointing to urgency in reforms within the construction sector.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) attributed delays in submitting investigation files on the South C building collapse in Nairobi to the complexity of the probe.
This follows criticism from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) over the slow pace of the investigations, which has taken nearly three months after the tragedy that left two people dead.
In a letter titled “2nd Reminder”, Ingonga indicated that his office had written twice to Kanja, directing that investigations be completed and a file submitted, but the DPP noted that no file had been received at his office.
Police said investigations into the collapse of the 14-storey building at Manzil Towers were still ongoing and involved multiple technical processes that required time to complete.
“The investigation remains active and is being conducted with the highest level of professionalism and urgency,” the DCI disclosed.
It went on to add, “We recognise the complexities involved, including dependencies on other government entities for critical reports and analyses.”
The DCI noted that the probe depends on critical reports and analysis from several government institutions, which are responsible for approvals, inspections, and compliance in the construction sector.
According to the DCI, investigators are currently examining the building’s entire development lifecycle, from initial approvals and inspections to construction processes and structural integrity assessments.
The security agency further stated that progress updates have already been shared with the ODPP to ensure transparency and coordination due to the urgency and public interest.
The DCI assured the public that the investigations remain active and that once all actions are completed, the finalised file will be resubmitted to the ODPP for further legal action.
