Eastleigh Building Collapse: Political Blame Game Intensifies Amid Ongoing Search and DPP Probe

A multi-storey building collapse in Eastleigh, Nairobi, on October 23, 2026, has triggered a thorough investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) following a directive from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga. The incident reportedly caused injuries, extensive property destruction, and left people missing, raising serious questions about potential negligence by various parties including county officials, developers, and construction professionals. The DCI has been tasked with establishing the circumstances surrounding the building's construction and collapse, pursuant to Article 157(4) of the Constitution of Kenya.

The DPP's decision to launch the probe underscores the gravity of the disaster and the imperative to determine if failures in construction practices, regulatory oversight, or professional conduct contributed to the tragedy. Investigations are set to scrutinize the roles played by Nairobi City County Government officials, the private developer, contractors, and all professionals involved in the planning, approval, supervision, and construction phases. Authorities will seek to ascertain whether necessary approvals were obtained, building regulations were followed, and required inspections were conducted prior to the collapse. Furthermore, the inquiry will explore any acts of commission or omission that contributed to the incident, including potential failures to enforce construction standards or identify structural risks. Significantly, the DPP disclosed that his office had not received an inquiry file from the Nairobi City County Government regarding the building's construction, which raises concerns about previous formal investigations or reported compliance issues.

In the aftermath of the collapse along 9th Street in Eastleigh, humanitarian efforts have been ongoing. Initially, 52 people were reported missing by the Kenya Red Cross. While 32 of these cases have since been closed after individuals were traced and reunited with their families, including two people miraculously rescued alive from the rubble, 20 individuals remain unaccounted for. Among the outstanding cases, 11 involve casual workers whose whereabouts are still unclear. Rescue operations have been significantly hampered by challenges posed by underground sewer and water systems, as well as safety concerns arising from the instability of the collapsed structure. Rescue teams are employing advanced techniques such as phone-signal tracking and specialized acoustic equipment in their continued efforts to locate anyone trapped beneath the debris. The building, which was under construction, also housed commercial premises on its ground floor, prompting fears that traders and other occupants might have been trapped when it came down. The National Disaster Management Unit has urged the public to refrain from livestreaming, as it could compromise sensitive rescue efforts.

The tragic event has also ignited a contentious political and legal battle. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has defiantly refused to retract his claims concerning the collapsed building and challenged those threatening legal action, including Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, to take him to court. This stance follows a defamation demand letter from lawyers representing architect Okeya Hempstone Nyawanda, sent on behalf of Governor Sakaja. The dispute centers on a document purportedly showing Nairobi City County’s approval for development on land parcel LR/Parcel No. 36/11/40 in Eastleigh, where the building collapsed. Nyawanda's lawyers argued that their client was falsely identified as the registered physical planner, asserting he is an architect, and that the publication was damaging his professional reputation. They demanded the removal of Owino's social media posts within six hours.

However, Owino’s legal team, led by advocate Collins Mango, dismissed the defamation attempt, emphasizing that such a tragedy demands rigorous public scrutiny. They stated, "When a building collapses and lives are lost, Nairobi residents are entitled to ask who approved what, what safeguards were in place, and whether the relevant authorities did what the law required of them." Owino's lawyers also criticized the demand letter's salutation, which addressed the MP as "Madam," questioning the care with which the ultimatum was prepared. They firmly argued that Governor Sakaja, as the head of Nairobi County’s administration, could not be exempt from scrutiny regarding development approvals and building regulations, asserting that public accountability cannot be paused. They maintained that the architect's professional designation alone does not resolve questions about the disputed document or validate claims that Owino’s statements were false. Owino has vowed to defend any proceedings and continue raising the matter through lawful public discourse.

Adding to the complexity are conflicting accounts regarding the collapsed building’s approval status. Governor Sakaja has publicly stated that while the county approved a change of use for the property in October 2024, it did not approve the subsequent plans for the high-rise construction. MP Owino, however, disputes this, citing a document dated February 13, 2024, as evidence. These competing claims are expected to be thoroughly examined by the ongoing DCI investigations to establish the true circumstances of the construction and assign responsibility.

The Eastleigh incident has brought renewed and intense scrutiny to building safety and the enforcement of construction regulations in Nairobi. Owino’s lawyers provided an annexure listing several other building collapses in Nairobi under Sakaja’s administration between 2022 and October 2026, further highlighting systemic issues. These incidents include: three buildings collapsing in Kasarani and Eastleigh in November 2022, with fatalities and trapped workers; a 16-storey residential building collapse in South C on January 1, 2026, reportedly due to unauthorized additional floors and safety breaches, resulting in multiple fatalities; another collapse along Ngong View Lane in Karen on January 10, 2026, killing two construction workers and injuring seven; a residential building collapse in Westlands in March 2026 with trapped workers; another Nairobi building collapse on March 16 and 17, 2026, killing at least four; and a building collapse near OTC on October 17, 2026, where twelve people were rescued. The list concludes with the October 23 Eastleigh incident and a building collapse in Highrise, Kibera, in October 2026. These recurrent incidents, Owino's lawyers argue, underscore the urgent need for accountability in construction approvals and building safety, insisting that threats of legal action should not stifle public scrutiny of these critical matters.