The Parklands Residents Association (PRA) has strongly condemned the collapse of a building under construction in South C, Nairobi, calling for urgent accountability, independent audits, and sweeping reforms in the city’s construction and regulatory systems.
In a press statement issued on Friday, the association said the incident had exposed deep-seated failures in construction safety, regulatory enforcement, and professional oversight within Nairobi’s built environment.
The association expressed condolences to the families affected by the collapse and said any loss of life or injury arising from negligence or regulatory lapses was unacceptable.
“While the incident occurred in South C, the risks it highlights are not isolated,” the statement read. “Similar unsafe construction practices are evident across Nairobi, including in Parklands, where high-density developments continue to emerge close to residential homes, schools, hospitals, and commercial premises.”
PRA noted that it has repeatedly raised concerns over unsafe developments, weak enforcement of zoning and planning laws, compromised structural safety, and the prioritisation of commercial interests over public safety. The recent collapse, the association said, tragically validates these long-standing warnings.
The residents’ body has now called on the Nairobi County Government to fully implement the County Physical and Land Use Development Plan, in line with a judgment delivered by the Environment and Land Court in October 2025. It also urged the county to ensure all development approvals comply with the Physical and Land Use Handbook 2025.
The association further urged the National Construction Authority (NCA) to review contractor registration, site supervision, and compliance with the National Building Code 2024.
NEMA was asked to reassess environmental approvals and cumulative risks posed by high-density developments, while the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS) was called upon to investigate worker safety practices on construction sites.
Other agencies urged to take action include the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) to verify the quality of construction materials, the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) to review professional accountability, and the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) to examine design approvals and cost-driven compromises that may undermine safety.
PRA also called on the National Police Service to support investigations where negligence, criminal liability, or falsification of approvals is suspected.
Additionally, the association proposed the establishment of an independent, multi-disciplinary technical committee comprising engineers, architects, planners, safety experts, and professional bodies to conduct impartial investigations and audits.
The residents’ group further recommended comprehensive structural inspections of all buildings currently under construction and those completed within the last three to five years, particularly in high-density residential areas, to avert future tragedies.
“Public safety must take precedence over profit,” the statement said, adding that regulatory oversight must be firm, transparent, and uncompromised.
The Parklands Residents Association reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for safe, lawful, and sustainable urban development across Nairobi.