South C residents storm Lands office, protest ‘inaction’ over building collapse

Operations at Ardhi House were briefly paralysed on Monday morning after South C residents staged a protest, piling pressure on Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome over a fatal building collapse.

The demonstrators, under the South C Residents Association, gathered outside the lands office demanding urgent action months after a 16-storey building along Muhoho Avenue collapsed in January, killing two people.

The residents accused authorities of failing to act against those allegedly responsible for the tragedy, saying promised investigations have yet to yield results.

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In a strongly worded press statement, the group said government silence had persisted despite earlier promises of investigations and compliance audits.

“It has been over nine months since the tragic collapse… the silence from the government is now deafening,” the statement reads

They also raised alarm over the safety of the nearby apartments, a 15-storey building that they claim was partially damaged during the collapse and exceeds approved building limits.

“Our demands to the Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Hon. Alice Wahome: In light of the Ministry’s failure to provide updates, we hereby demand the following within seven (7) days: publication of the multi-agency inquiry report,” said association chairman Abdi Karim Hassan in a statement.

“The CS must immediately release the findings of the multi-agency team (NCA, NBI, BORAQS, and EBK) regarding the collapse of Plot 68/1306; and a status report on Bridge Port Apartments (LR No. 209/5909/9).”

The group is now calling for either a public safety certification or an immediate demolition order for the adjacent structure, warning that inaction could trigger another disaster.

“This building was approved for 10 floors but stands at 15, with documented structural damage to its pillars,” the statement added.

Protesters waved placards and chanted slogans, accusing authorities of remaining silent despite earlier assurances that investigations would be conducted.

In a statement dated January 5, 2026, Wahome had pledged a formal inquiry and a nationwide compliance audit to address unsafe buildings. However, residents say no findings have been made public.

“We are living next to a ticking time bomb,” one protester said, referring to another apartment, which they claim has structural damage and exceeds its approved height.

The residents are also demanding the release of the full report into the collapsed building, which had been approved for 12 floors but was reportedly extended to 16.

A joint assessment by the Architectural Association of Kenya and the National Construction Authority previously cited alleged professional negligence and disregard for regulations as possible causes of the collapse.

The association has called for criminal proceedings against those allegedly involved, including the developer, county officials, and consultants such as architects and engineers.

The residents revealed they had already written to Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja seeking criminal proceedings against those allegedly linked to the project.

The residents also accused enforcement agencies of enabling a “culture of impunity,” citing multiple enforcement notices issued in 2025 that they say failed to stop the construction.

They further alleged that some officers faced attacks while attempting enforcement, and that arrested site agents were released and allowed to resume work.

Among their demands are the blacklisting of rogue developers and professionals, and an update on the nationwide building compliance audit promised by the government.

“Public safety cannot be sacrificed at the altar of political connections or developer greed,” the statement adds.