Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has demanded accountability from officials who approved, inspected and supervised the construction of a multi-storey building that collapsed in Eastleigh, Nairobi, warning that those responsible must face the law regardless of their positions or connections.
Kalonzo said the incident raised serious questions about how a building of such size was allowed to stand in a crowded neighbourhood, leaving people trapped beneath the rubble.
In a statement following the incident, Kalonzo called for an honest investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse, saying Kenya must not continue losing lives to buildings erected through what he described as corruption and weak enforcement of construction regulations.
“When the dust settles, Kenyans will ask how a building of this size came to stand, and fall, in a crowded neighbourhood. That question must be answered honestly,” he said.
“Whoever approved, inspected, built or looked away must be identified and held to account, whatever their position or connections.”
Kalonzo said the country should not allow a repeat of tragedies in which people lose their lives because of failures by those responsible for ensuring buildings meet safety standards.
“Kenyans must never again be buried under buildings that were allowed to go up through corruption and weak enforcement of the law,” he said.
His remarks came as rescue teams continued searching for people reported to be trapped after the building, which was under construction, collapsed in the city’s Eastleigh area.
Kalonzo expressed sympathy with the affected families and those waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones.
“I am deeply dismayed to receive the news of the collapse of a multi-storey building under construction in Eastleigh, Nairobi, this afternoon,” he said.
He thanked the Kenya Red Cross, the Kenya Defence Forces Disaster Response Battalion, the National Disaster Management Unit, Nairobi County emergency teams and members of the public who rushed to assist in the rescue operation.
“Every minute counts, and I urge all agencies to work together without delay. I also urge members of the public to follow the instructions of the first responders,” he said.
Kalonzo urged Kenyans to pray for those trapped and the injured, expressing hope that rescue teams would reach the victims in time.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna also expressed concern over the incident, saying the Kenya Red Cross had established communication with some of the workers trapped in the rubble.
“We are praying for all those workers trapped in the collapsed building in Eastleigh. The Red Cross is saying they are in communication with them. We hope there will be a silver lining to this otherwise sad story,” Sifuna said.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro called for greater accountability among regulators and licensing authorities, saying such incidents must be prevented through stricter enforcement of construction standards.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those affected by the building that collapsed earlier today at Eastleigh, Nairobi County,” Nyoro said.
“It is our hope that these kind of occurrences must stop. All relevant actors, regulators and licensing authorities must do their job with dedication and seriousness to prevent these kind of tragedies.”
Nairobi Police Commander Issa Mohamud has also vowed that those found culpable would face charges after investigations establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
Governor Johnson Sakaja said the building had not complied with construction guidelines and promised legal action against those responsible.
Authorities were yet to confirm the full number of people trapped, injured or rescued.
