A 16-storey building under construction collapsed in Nairobi's South C on January 2, 2026, trapping at least two people. MPs have called for an immediate suspension of construction activities in the area amid concerns over safety regulations. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities investigate the cause.
On Friday, January 2, 2026, around 5 a.m., a 16-storey building under construction collapsed along Muhoho Road in Lang’ata Constituency, South C area of Nairobi. The incident left at least two people trapped under the rubble, sparking panic among nearby residents and business owners.
A multi-agency emergency response, including the Kenya Red Cross, National Disaster Management Unit (NMDU), and National Police Service, rushed to the scene for search and rescue operations. The area was cordoned off to ensure safety, with teams proceeding cautiously due to fears that an adjacent building could collapse from structural shifts.
Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, known as Jalang’o, condemned the incident as tragic and unacceptable. “This is a tragic and unacceptable way to begin the year. At approximately 5:00 a.m. today, a 16-storey building under construction collapsed along Muhoho Road in South C, Lang’ata Constituency, leaving several people trapped beneath the rubble,” Jalang’o said. He demanded an immediate halt to all construction in South C and Nairobi West wards until comprehensive safety audits and compliance checks are completed by relevant authorities.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino attributed the collapse to weak oversight and alleged corruption at Nairobi City County. He claimed the structure was approved for fewer floors, with extra storeys added illegally. “We demand stronger enforcement mechanisms in Nairobi City County to ensure that every structure meets the highest safety standards, not just those with connections. Lives cannot be rebuilt. But systems can. Let this disaster spur the reforms Nairobi has long needed, so that we never again mourn deaths that could have been prevented,” Babu stated.
The NMDU noted that the structural integrity of the nearby building would be evaluated by the National Construction Authority (NCA) only after rescuers access the first and ground floors. The event follows NCA warnings about a 13-storey building in Westlands on December 17, 2025, and other Nairobi incidents, including a wall collapse on July 31, 2025, and a three-storey building fall on February 11, 2025, which claimed one life.
Residents have been advised to stay vigilant as a precaution.
