As Nairobi continues to grapple with questions raised by the recent building collapse in South C on January 2, 2026, it’s important to remind ourselves of tens of similar tragedies that have occurred and in several parts of the County, some of which have either been brushed aside or have not attracted as much attention by the necessary agencies, authorities, and also the media.
In the Parklands Area, tens of buildings have been constructed beyond the “allowed” levels, including the one erected on L.R No. 209/879/14 and along City Park Drive where permission was for 12-levels yet, construction is now on level 20, and occupation of incomplete Units in progress.
Along Donyo Sabuk Avenue off Peponi Road, a 13-level residential apartment building started showing open partial structural failure, with several column’s cross-sectional dimensions showing clear inadequate and insufficient capacity for sustained load-bearing, and presenting a risk of progressive or localized failure.
This site was reported to several relevant agencies, authorities and professional bodies in November 2025. Two months later, no decision has been made and although the site was marked with the traditional X-mark by the NCA, construction work is still on-going
On 11th May 2025, a heart-rending incident along Masari Road, Parklands took place when excavation works for construction of a sky-high residential building collapsed, crushing to death at least four people who were caught and buried by concrete and rubble. Excavation was being undertaken beacon-to-beacon, putting both workers and the adjacent neighbours at risk.
Collapse of the structure were captured on video as co-workers dug frantically, only for part of the wall to collapse again, forcing them to flee.
https://youtube.com/shorts/kMrCwmkIn9I?si=TIqW5rbDuQaPPz7g
(Video: Viewing discretion)
According to the Parklands Residents Association (PRA), no applications for development permission had been applied for or granted by the planning authority who, according to the provisions of the Physical and Land Use Planning Act (PLUPA) 2019, are the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Built Environment and Planning and the County Director of Physical and Land Use Planning.
The latter position has remained legally vacant, but several officers working in the County’s Land Use and Planning Department have purported to have power and authority to issue development permissions more so those of the change of user and building aspect.
Parklands residents have for years complained to the County Government and to other relevant agencies and authorities including NEMA, NCA, WARMA, KURA, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Planning, National Land Commission, Director of Survey, National Building Inspectorate, Kenya Wildlife Service and also professional bodies including the Institute of Surveyors, Architectural Association of Kenya, Engineers Board of Kenya, National Council for Persons with Disabilities, informing and reminding them of their individual and collective constitutional and statutory obligations on land use and planning, to no avail.
The Association has also, on numerous occasions, filed complaints and petitions at the Environment and Land Court citing deliberate failure and refusal of the agencies, authorities and individuals to perform and undertake their statutory duties on matters in respect to development, and are keeping their fingers crossed that courts will uphold the rule of law doctrine upon which our society is based and founded.
The authorities and agencies’ deliberate failure/refusal to perform their duties has resulted in loss of lives of tens of citizens and occasioned grievous injuries, have seen historical and gazetted monuments including the Joseph Murumbi Foundation and the “Mtego wa Panya” maze at City Park Forest, the Desai Memorial House on 2nd Parklands Avenue and also the demolition of the cultural and historical cottages along Ojijo Road.
Their acts and conducts have denied, abused, infringed upon or threatened citizens fundamental rights freedoms, and presently, all indications are these denials and abuses will continue so long as those entrusted with duties and mandates to ensure only legal and compliant developments are undertaken in the county, continue sleeping on their jobs.
