Residents of South C in Nairobi took to the streets on Monday, April 20, staging protests at Ardhi House to demand accountability following the fatal collapse of a 16-storey building earlier this year.
The demonstrators, led by the South C Residents Association, voiced their frustration over what they termed as months of inaction by government authorities after the January tragedy along Muhoho Avenue that claimed two lives. Chanting slogans and carrying placards, the residents briefly disrupted operations at Ardhi House, accusing officials of delaying the release of critical findings into the incident.
Central to their demands is the immediate publication of the investigation report conducted by multiple regulatory bodies, including the National Construction Authority, National Building Inspectorate, Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors, and the Engineers Board of Kenya. The residents insist that transparency is key to ensuring justice for the victims and preventing similar tragedies in the future.
During the protest, the group issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government to make the findings public, warning that failure to comply would trigger intensified demonstrations. Some protesters threatened to escalate their actions, including marching to State House if their concerns are not addressed.
Speaking during the protest, resident Marriam Kalekye expressed anger over the continued silence from authorities, stating that the community would not tolerate further loss of life due to negligence. Activist James Mulamba echoed her sentiments, calling for the prosecution of all individuals and entities linked to the building’s construction and approval.
Police officers were deployed to manage the situation and prevent escalation, as tensions remained high throughout the demonstration. The residents maintain that their push for justice will not relent until those responsible are held accountable.