South C Residents Protest Over Collapsed Building, Demand Accountability and Justice

Residents of South C in Nairobi staged a dramatic protest on Monday, April 20, storming government offices to demand accountability following the collapse of a 16-storey building along Muhoho Avenue earlier in January, a tragic incident that claimed the lives of two people and left several questions unanswered about construction safety in the area.

The angry demonstrators, led by the South C Residents Association, temporarily disrupted operations at Ardhi House, accusing relevant authorities of taking too long to release the findings of investigations months after the deadly collapse.

They expressed frustration that despite the seriousness of the incident, there has been no clear public explanation or visible action against those responsible.

According to the residents, a multi-agency team was formed to investigate the collapse, bringing together several key regulatory bodies, including the National Construction Authority, the National Building Inspectorate, the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS), and the Engineers Board of Kenya.

However, they claim that the findings from this investigation have not been made public, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the construction sector.

During the protest, residents issued a seven-day ultimatum to the national government, demanding that the full investigation report be released without delay.

They warned that if their demands are ignored, they will escalate their demonstrations further, including marching to State House in Nairobi.

One of the residents, Marriam Kalekye, expressed strong emotions during the protest, saying they were prepared for further action if justice is not served.

She insisted that they would not remain silent while residents continue to be exposed to unsafe buildings and preventable deaths.

“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,” she said, reflecting the growing anger among affected residents.

Activist James Mulamba also joined the protest and called for legal action against all individuals and entities involved in the construction of the collapsed building.

This includes developers, consultants, contractors, and any government officials who may have approved or supervised the project.

He emphasized that the community intends to push for prosecutions and court cases to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. According to him, justice must not only involve investigations but also tangible legal consequences.

“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,” Mulamba stated firmly.

Beyond the collapsed building, residents also raised wider concerns about what they describe as unchecked and unsafe developments in the area.

They alleged that some buildings have been constructed without proper approvals or without conducting required environmental impact assessments, despite repeated complaints and petitions submitted to authorities.

The group specifically pointed to a nearby 15-storey building, which they claim may exceed approved height limits and could pose a serious safety risk to surrounding residents.

They are now demanding urgent action from authorities, including either demolition of the structure or an official safety confirmation backed by technical inspections.

They have called on both the Nairobi City County Government and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to strengthen enforcement of building codes, improve inspection processes, and ensure that all ongoing and future developments comply strictly with safety regulations.

The protests come at a time when concerns over building safety in Nairobi continue to grow, especially as the city experiences a rapid rise in high-rise developments.

Residents fear that without stricter enforcement, more structural failures could occur, putting lives at risk and deepening public distrust in regulatory institutions.

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