Rescue operations follow the collapse of an unfinished 12-storey building in Eastleigh.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja wants stronger sanctions and county prosecutorial powers as rescue teams search the rubble of an unfinished 12-storey building.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has demanded tougher penalties for developers following the Eastleigh building collapse. He also wants county governments to regain prosecutorial powers to pursue construction violations.
The unfinished 12-storey structure collapsed along 1st Avenue, 9th Street, prompting a multi-agency search and rescue operation. Although construction was ongoing, people occupied the ground floor when the building came down.
Speaking at the scene on October 23, Sakaja said weak penalties undermine enforcement and endanger lives. He noted that some developers convicted of construction offences face fines as low as Sh5,000.
Eastleigh building collapse prompts enforcement demands
Sakaja said the county had formally asked the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to restore prosecutorial powers. He argued that those powers would strengthen action against developers who ignore approved plans and safety requirements.
However, the governor said enforcement also requires closer cooperation with professional bodies representing architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and builders.
He said some developers hire licensed experts to obtain approvals, then dismiss them and employ unqualified personnel. As a result, he warned, projects lose safeguards meant to ensure compliance with approved designs.
Sakaja urged professional associations to help counties identify and investigate questionable withdrawals of qualified experts from construction sites. He also called for disciplinary action against professionals found responsible for wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, he stressed that experts overseeing design, supervision and safety must carry out their duties without interference.
Approvals and occupation checks
Developers must obtain county approvals, engage qualified professionals and sign indemnity forms, Sakaja said. Those forms commit them to following approved plans and construction standards.
However, he said some developers abandon these commitments after securing permission, compromising the integrity of their projects.
The governor also urged developers to obtain occupation certificates before allowing people to use buildings. He said the required inspections must establish that structures are safe and suitable for occupation.
Rescue teams seek missing-person reports
Nairobi City County emergency teams coordinated the rescue alongside the National Disaster Operations Centre, Kenya Red Cross and Kenya Defence Forces. Other agencies also supported the operation amid fears that people remained trapped beneath the rubble.
Teams used heavy machinery to remove debris and reach sections where victims could be trapped. Meanwhile, Sakaja said health teams stood ready to provide immediate medical care once rescuers reached victims.
He urged families and anyone with information about missing people to report to designated centres at the scene. Residents could also share information through the county emergency hotlines, 1508 and 1199.
