DPP orders swift investigations into South C building collapse

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Sunday ordered immediate investigations into the collapse of a 16-storey building in South C, Nairobi.

DPP Mulele Ingonga described the incident as tragic and raising serious concerns over possible lapses in construction and regulatory oversight.

The building collapsed on January 2, 2026, leaving two people trapped under the rubble and sparking a multi-agency rescue operation.

One body was retrieved from the debris on Sunday.

In a statement issued through the Public Affairs and Corporate Communication Division, the DPP expressed deep sympathy with the families of those affected by the disaster, particularly those whose loved ones were trapped or lost their lives in the collapse.

“To ensure that every person who enabled the unsafe construction is held to account, whether public or private,” the DPP directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to immediately initiate or fast-track investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The IGP has been instructed to submit a comprehensive report to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) within seven days.

Investigators have also been ordered to record statements from all relevant individuals, including the building’s developer and contractor, as well as officials responsible for approvals, inspections, and enforcement of building and construction standards.

The DPP emphasized that accountability would not be limited to private developers but would also extend to public officers found to have failed in their regulatory duties.

The ODPP reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law, public interest, and the administration of justice, noting that the safety and security of citizens remain a top priority.

The South C collapse has once again brought into sharp focus concerns over compliance with building regulations in Nairobi, where rapid urban development has been accompanied by recurring questions about enforcement and oversight.

The owners of the structure have been grilled as part of the probe into the incident.