Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has demanded an immediate and total suspension of all construction activities in two wards within his constituency.
The MP is calling for work to stop in South C and Nairobi West following the collapse of a 16-storey building early on Friday, 2 January 2026.
The residential apartment, which was still under construction, came down in the Shopping Centre area of South C.
The incident has sparked a major search and rescue operation involving the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU), the Kenya Red Cross, and the National Police Service.
A Tragic Start to the Year
The building collapsed at approximately 5:00 a.m., leaving several people trapped beneath the rubble. Initial reports indicated that at least two people were feared dead, while rescue teams worked cautiously to reach those still missing.
However, later updates suggested a higher toll, with reports of two security guards and two Bolt drivers, along with their passengers, losing their lives in the tragedy. Thick dust and debris filled the surrounding area as the structure failed, forcing nearby residents to flee in panic.
“We unequivocally demand the immediate and total suspension of all construction activities in South C and Nairobi West wards,” Jalang’o said via social media.
Demands for Safety Audits
Jalang’o’s order for a construction freeze is intended to remain in place until thorough safety audits are completed.
He insisted that all developers must provide full approvals and undergo compliance verifications by relevant authorities before any work continues.
“This halt must remain in effect until full approvals, safety audits, and compliance verifications are conducted by all relevant authorities. The continued disregard for construction regulations and public safety must come to an end before more lives are put at risk.”
ALSO READ: 16-Storey Building under construction collapses in South C
The MP expressed deep concern over the safety of residents, noting that the halt is necessary to prevent further loss of life.
Authorities have also raised alarms about the structural integrity of buildings adjacent to the collapsed site, which may have been weakened by the incident.
Bribery and Oversight Allegations
The collapse has brought fresh scrutiny to the Nairobi County Physical Planning department. Statements shared by Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai alleged that the building was initially approved for only 12 floors.
“This tragedy... is a painful reminder of the cost of weak oversight, poor enforcement, and suspected corruption in Nairobi City County.”
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino joined the call for accountability, demanding an independent investigation into how the approvals were issued. He called for the prosecution of any public officials or private developers found to have enabled unsafe practices.
A Pattern of Collapses
Nairobi has seen a rise in construction-related incidents over the past year. In February 2025, a three-storey building collapsed in Parklands, resulting in one death. Later, in July 2025, several workers were injured when a wall collapsed at a site on Rhapta Road.
Just weeks before the South C tragedy, the National Construction Authority (NCA) warned the public about a 13-storey building in Westlands that had developed visible cracks and was at risk of failing.
South C is a high-demand residential hub located about 6 kilometres from Nairobi’s Central Business District. The area is increasingly seeing high-rise apartments replace traditional single-family homes.
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