South C Building Collapse Reveals Nairobi’s Alarming Earthquake Risk: Experts Warn 85% of High-Rise Buildings Could Be Unsafe

The collapse of a 16-storey building under construction in South C, Nairobi, has raised serious alarms. Experts warn it shows the city’s high earthquake risk. They say it reflects a wider crisis in Kenya’s construction sector. Ignored standards, weak oversight, and unchecked greed contributed to the disaster.

Professionals from the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), Architects Alliance (TAA), the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), and the Kenya Institute of Planners (KIP) are calling for an urgent probe. They want answers on who approved extra floors on a building never designed to hold them. “Responsibility begins with the developer but does not end there,” the experts said. Every stage of construction—from design to supervision—requires strict safety compliance. Discrepancies between approvals and site practices raise questions about accountability.

The collapse exposes a much larger problem across Nairobi. A survey of around 15,000 buildings shows only 15 percent are safe. The remaining 85 percent could be dangerous even under minor tremors or weak ground movement. George Ndede, AAK president, warned, “If a tremor, even of a low Richter scale, hits Nairobi today, many buildings could collapse.” Experts also point to visible warning signs: buildings needing lights during the day, faulty drainage, and overcrowded developments. These signal serious structural and planning failures.

Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome blamed Nairobi County for approving extra floors despite structural concerns. She said the county’s actions contributed to the collapse. Investigations have already identified key failures. The upcoming National Construction Authority (NCA) report will name the responsible officials.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has directed the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to launch immediate investigations. Experts are urging stricter regulations. They want rogue contractors blacklisted. They also call for stronger enforcement to prevent future disasters. The South C collapse is a stark warning of Nairobi’s earthquake vulnerability. It shows the urgent need for major reforms in Kenya’s construction sector.