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Architects list oversight lapses that led to South C building collapse
Workers cut entangled pieces of metal rods from the collapsed South C building on January 5, 2026.
What you need to know:
- Architectural body says additional floors were approved without proof of structural review or inspection of ongoing works, raising concerns over how the approvals were granted.
The Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) has cited serious failures in approvals, professional supervision and enforcement following the collapse of a 14-storey building in South C, Nairobi.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the Association said the building, which collapsed on January 2, 2026, was an avoidable tragedy caused by persistent non-compliance in the development control process.
According to its preliminary findings, the project exhibited multiple regulatory breaches, including the issuance of National Construction Authority (NCA) registration before securing mandatory approvals from the Nairobi City County Government (NCCG) and the National Environment Management Authority (Nema).
The Association further noted that additional floors were approved without proof of structural review or inspection of ongoing works, raising concerns over how the approvals were granted.
It also pointed to weak documentation of site supervision by the professional team, mid-project consultant changes — including the structural and civil engineer — and the apparent disregard of enforcement notices and stop orders issued by both the NCA and the county government.
“The incident points to failures across approvals, professional practice and enforcement,” AAK President George Ndege said, adding that the collapse underscores gaps in compliance with the National Building Code.
Client 'acted as both developer and contractor'
Rescue operations at the site where a multi-storey building under construction collapsed in South C on January 2, 2025.
Mr Ndege noted that the architect opted for developer-led coordination with restricted site access, while the client also acted as both developer and contractor — a situation the association said raises potential conflicts of interest that warrant investigation.
Although site inspections and meetings were reportedly held, AAK said no visit reports or minutes were produced, pointing to possible lapses in supervision and documentation that now require board-level investigation.
The association also urged county governments to enforce the National Building Code, conduct routine and standardised site inspections and maintain publicly accessible inventories of approved projects.
Separately, a rights activist has petitioned the High Court to remove National Construction Authority (NCA) Executive Director Maurice Akech, alleging regulatory failures contributing to fatal building collapses in Nairobi.
Francis Awino argues that Mr Akech is unfit for office due to alleged negligence, incompetence, and failure to enforce construction laws despite repeated warnings issued to developers.
The case stems from the collapse of a 12-storey mixed-use building in South C, Nairobi, on January 2, 2026, during construction. Developed by Abyan Consulting Limited, the structure collapsed while still under construction, trapping at least two people and injuring another.
Mr Awino states that investigations by Nairobi City County and the NCA revealed multiple violations, including lack of approved structural plans, missing statutory inspections, and failure to obtain required geotechnical reports before construction began.
“The building was non-compliant at the time of collapse,” Mr Awino states in his affidavit, noting that construction exceeded approved floors and proceeded without oversight from a structural engineer.
He argues these failures reflect systemic enforcement lapses in Nairobi’s construction sector.
Continued unchecked
Despite enforcement notices issued by Nairobi City County in May, July, and December 2025, construction allegedly continued unchecked under NCA supervision.
The petitioner claims Mr Akech had direct authority over compliance but “failed to enforce regulations, halt construction, or sanction developers,” actions he calls administrative maladministration and abuse of office.
He also cites Mr Akech’s alleged public admission of the building’s non-compliance after its collapse.
The lawsuit highlights recurring building failures in Nairobi, referencing collapses in Zimmerman (2023) and Kahawa West (2024) as evidence of systemic regulatory failures in agencies tasked with public safety.
Despite reform pledges, Mr Awino argues enforcement gaps persist, undermining oversight and accountability.
He contends Mr Akech’s actions violated constitutional rights to life, fair administrative action, and access to safety information, while also breaching the National Construction Authority Act, Physical and Land Use Planning Act, and county building laws.
Mr Awino seeks a court declaration deeming Akech unfit for office and orders for his removal or suspension. He also demands immediate halts to non-compliant Nairobi projects, accountability for enforcement lapses between 2021 and 2026, and mandatory inspections and sanctions for violators.
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