Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has spoken out following the collapse of a 16-storey building under construction in South C, Nairobi.
In a statement issued on Friday, January 2, Owino expressed shock and sadness over the incident, noting the distress it caused to Nairobi residents and acknowledging the swift response by emergency services, including the Kenya Red Cross, the National Disaster Management Unit, and the National Police Service.
He described the timing of the collapse as particularly painful, saying it highlighted long-standing governance failures within Nairobi City County, including weak oversight, poor enforcement, and alleged corruption.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino Speaks After South C Building Collapse. Photo: Courtesy.
Owino further raised concerns over reports suggesting that the building may have exceeded its approved design, alleging that additional floors were irregularly added.
He claimed the structure was initially approved for 12 floors but was later expanded by four unauthorised levels, allegedly through corrupt practices, warning that such actions reflect institutional failures where safety standards are compromised for profit and political expediency.
Owino also condemned corruption and regulatory failures within the construction sector, accusing officials of benefiting from a culture of impunity that allows unsafe developments to proceed without accountability.
He faulted the granting of approvals without full compliance with technical and legal standards, warning that such practices undermine public safety and trust.
He concluded by outlining four key demands, including thorough investigations into the incident, the suspension of questionable approvals, the prosecution of those found culpable, and the strengthening of enforcement mechanisms to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
