Sakaja blames change of use, unclear approvals in Eastleigh collapsed building

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja suggested that unapproved architectural designs and a change of use may have triggered the collapse of a 16-storey building in Eastleigh. KBC reports that while a change-of-use application for the property, belonging to the estate of the late Wilson Mutia Musyoke, was approved in 2024, an application for a 15-storey building with a basement submitted by developer John Mutia Musyoke was never granted.

Sakaja has called for investigations into the architect, physical planner, and engineering firm involved, noting that the Urban Planning Committee had raised concerns regarding a proposal for basement and ground-floor shops in November 2024.

The collapse occurred along 9th Street in Eastleigh, Kamukunji Sub-County, impacting 11 occupied shops located on the ground floor and basement, according to KahawaTungu. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen stated that while 66 construction workers escaped uninjured and one is receiving treatment in stable condition, seven people have been reported missing. Rescue operations to locate those feared trapped beneath the rubble continued into Saturday.

Following the incident, the Ministry of Health issued a warning to developers and property managers to comply with safety regulations and approved construction plans, according to People Daily Kenya. Governor Sakaja has announced a city-wide crackdown on illegal construction in response to the event.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Standard Kenya, KBC, People Daily Kenya, KahawaTungu — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.