NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 11 – Two people were killed and seven others injured after a residential building under construction collapsed in Karen, with preliminary investigations by the Nairobi County Government blaming poor workmanship and inadequate formwork for the fatal incident.
The building, located along Karen View Lane in Lang’ata Sub-County, came down on Saturday, trapping several workers under debris.
Emergency responders rescued seven injured victims from the rubble and rushed them to hospital, while the bodies of two people who succumbed to severe crush injuries were transferred to the Nairobi Funeral Home
According to Nairobi County Environment and Urban Planning County Executive Patrick Mbogo, early findings show that “inadequate formwork and the use of timber gum tree supports instead of the required steel props for a double-volume slab significantly weakened the structure, leading to the collapse.”
Mbogo confirmed that the project’s architectural plans were approved on November 14, 2024, with structural plans approved on November 27, 2024.
However, preliminary findings indicate the failure occurred during construction due to non-compliance with approved standards, not flaws in the county’s approval process.
“As investigations continue, focus has shifted to the mandatory indemnity form signed by developers when building plans are approved by Nairobi City County. The document has emerged as central to determining liability, as it places full responsibility for the safety and structural integrity of a project on the developer and the registered architect and engineers involved,” he stated
Under the indemnity agreement, developers indemnify the county government and the County Structural Engineer against any claims arising from collapse, injury, or loss of life. The form explicitly states that approval of drawings does not transfer liability to the county.
The document further obliges developers to assume full legal responsibility from design through completion, engage only qualified and registered professionals, strictly adhere to approved drawings and building codes, ensure proper site supervision, and submit mandatory material test results—including concrete strength tests—to county engineers.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the collapse and determine responsibility.
