Search at South C building collapse enters sixth day as victim is buried

The search at the South C site, where a building collapsed, entered its sixth day on Wednesday, with multi-agency teams continuing to clear the rubble.

The operation comes a day after security guard Ali Adan Galgalo, who died in the incident, was laid to rest at a ceremony attended by local leaders, including Member of County Assembly Abass Khalif.

Speaking at the burial, Khalif called for accountability and stricter oversight of construction projects.

“We demand action to prevent future incidents,” he said.

He added that the county assembly would push for audits of buildings that have been approved or are under construction in Nairobi to ensure safety standards are being met.

“Investigations must be conducted,” Khalif said, noting that lapses in regulatory oversight could have had serious consequences.

An autopsy conducted before the burial confirmed that the 31-year-old Galgalo died from multiple injuries sustained when the building collapsed last Friday.

Friends, colleagues, and community leaders attended the funeral, highlighting the impact on families and calling for support for the bereaved.

Former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani noted the hardships faced by the victims’ families.

“Both had very young children. We hope support will be extended to help with school, food, and daily upkeep,” he said.

Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute also urged authorities to intensify efforts to clear the site.

The search and rescue operation, ongoing around the clock, aims to locate a second security guard who was inside the building at the time of the collapse.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Sunday Renson Ingonga, ordered immediate investigations into the incident, describing it as tragic and raising concerns over potential lapses in construction and regulatory oversight.

The building, which collapsed on January 2, 2026, left two people trapped and triggered a multi-agency rescue operation. One body was recovered on Sunday.

“To ensure that every person involved in unsafe construction is held accountable, whether public or private,” the DPP directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to initiate or fast-track investigations.

The IGP has been instructed to submit a comprehensive report to the ODPP within seven days.

Investigators are also required to record statements from all relevant parties.

As part of the ongoing probe, the building owners stated that 70 per cent of the property had been sold off-plan.