The National Construction Authority (NCA) has provided a detailed explanation of the building that collapsed on Kirinyaga Road in Nairobi early Wednesday, shedding light on the circumstances leading to the incident.
According to a statement released by NCA on February 11, the collapse occurred during foundation works when a temporary retaining wall, installed to support earlier excavation, gave way.
Retaining walls act as short-term supports to hold back soil during digging, while shoring ensures that the surrounding earth does not cave in as foundations are laid. NCA said the failure of this wall caused part of the excavation to collapse.
"The project is a proposed commercial development that was under construction at the time of the incident which took place during foundation works at the site," NCA stated.
The Authority confirmed that the building, planned to reach 10 floors, had been officially registered with the government and had fulfilled all mandatory requirements, including employing a contractor, architect, and quantity surveyor.
No fatalities were reported, but six people sustained injuries and are receiving treatment. The site has been secured, and investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing.
The Kirinyaga Road incident is part of a worrying rise in building failures in Nairobi. In recent weeks, a 16-storey building under construction in South C fell, killing at least two people, prompting criticism from professional associations over gaps in approvals and oversight.
Earlier, on January 10, a residential building under construction in Karen collapsed, resulting in two deaths and seven injuries. Investigators found that the site lacked required signage and cited defective formwork as the cause, highlighting weaknesses in supervision and compliance with building standards.
Similarly, a five-storey apartment building on Naivasha Road in Uthiru fell, leaving some residents, including children, unaccounted for during initial rescue efforts. In Ruaka, another five-storey building under construction toppled onto a neighboring house, triggering a multi-agency response to search for survivors.
In response to these incidents, authorities have strengthened oversight in the sector. The National Building Code 2024 was implemented to replace outdated rules and demand strict compliance with modern structural and safety standards. Nairobi City County merged key departments handling planning and infrastructure to improve supervision, while the National Construction Authority increased inspections at critical construction phases.
Additionally, tougher penalties, expedited investigations, and a nationwide audit of high-risk buildings have been introduced to ensure accountability and prevent future tragedies.
