Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has issued a strong public reaction following the collapse of a 16-storey building that was under construction in South C, Nairobi County. The incident, which occurred at the start of the new year, has left families in pain as rescue teams race against time to save survivors trapped under the rubble.
Emergency response teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, the National Disaster Management Unit, and the National Police Service, were deployed to the scene as efforts to rescue victims continued. The tragedy has once again raised serious concerns about construction safety and governance in Nairobi.
Babu Owino described the incident as a painful reminder of the consequences of weak oversight, poor enforcement of building laws, and deep-rooted corruption within county systems. He noted that many lives may have been put at risk due to failures that could have been prevented through proper regulation and accountability.
He raised grave concerns over reports indicating that the building was originally approved to have 12 floors, but later expanded to 16 floors without proper authorization. According to the reports, the additional floors were allegedly approved through corrupt dealings involving large sums of money paid to senior county officials. These claims, he said, point to a system where profit is placed above human life.
The legislator strongly condemned any form of corruption that compromises public safety. He also criticized the approval of buildings that do not meet technical and legal standards, as well as a culture of impunity that allows officials, developers, and professionals to walk free even after deadly failures.
Babu Owino called for a full and independent investigation into the collapse. He said all approvals, inspections, and compliance checks carried out at both county and national levels must be reviewed openly and honestly. He also urged for the immediate suspension of approvals for developments that raise safety concerns until proper audits are completed.
He further demanded the prosecution of all individuals found responsible for enabling unsafe construction, regardless of their position or influence. According to him, reforms within Nairobi City County are long overdue and must focus on strict enforcement of safety standards.
By Newshub