Karen building collapse: County probes possible structural failure linked to poor workmanship

Building under construction collapses on Ngong Road

Preliminary investigations by the Nairobi City County Government indicate that the collapse of a residential building under construction in Karen on Saturday may have resulted from structural failure associated with poor workmanship and inadequate formwork.

This incident comes just days after a similar tragedy in South C, Nairobi, where a building under construction at the South C Shopping Centre collapsed on January 2.

County Chief Officer, Urban Development and Planning Patrick Analo Akivaga said early findings suggest that substandard materials were used at the site, including timber gum tree supports instead of the required steel props for a double-volume slab, which may have weakened the structure.

The building collapsed on Saturday at Plot No. 12882/197 along Karen View Lane in Lang’ata Sub-County, killing two people and injuring seven others.

Following the incident, emergency and rescue teams from the county, working with the National Disaster Management Unit and the Kenya Red Cross, were deployed to the scene.

Seven injured victims were rescued from the rubble and rushed to hospital, while the bodies of the two victims were transferred to the Nairobi Funeral Home.

Analo noted that while the architectural plans were approved on November 14, 2024, and the structural plans on November 27, 2024, preliminary assessments suggest that the failure may have occurred during construction due to possible non-compliance with approved standards, rather than flaws in the approval process.

He added that further investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the collapse and determine responsibility. As the probe continues, attention has shifted to the mandatory indemnity form signed by developers upon approval of their building plans by Nairobi City County.

The indemnity document has emerged as an important reference point in determining liability, as it places responsibility for the safety and structural integrity of a project on the developer and the registered architect and engineers involved.

Under the indemnity form, developers indemnify the county and the County Structural Engineer against claims arising from collapse, injury or loss of life.

The document states that approval of drawings does not transfer liability to the county, placing accountability on the developer and project professionals pending the outcome of investigations.

The form further requires developers to assume legal responsibility for their buildings from design through completion.

By signing it, developers commit to engaging qualified and registered professionals, adhering to approved drawings, building codes and by-laws, ensuring proper site supervision and submitting mandatory material test results, including concrete strength tests, to county engineers.