The National Construction Authority (NCA) has suspended the construction project in Karen after a building collapsed and claimed two lives while injuring several others.
In a press statement released on Sunday, January 11, the authority revealed that the project that collapsed on the evening of Saturday, January 10, along Ngong Road was not registered with NCA at the time of the incident.
According to the authority, the incident happened during concrete casting works at the carport area of the structure. Initial assessments indicated a suspected failure of the framework system, which collapsed after being loaded with fresh concrete.
"The construction project was not registered with the Authority and remains suspended vide Suspension Order No. 165431 dated January 10 2026," the authority announced.
The statement also revealed that, in collaboration with relevant agencies, the authority conducted rescue operations and concluded on Saturday night. They noted that the area has since been secured as relevant enforcement agencies continue with investigations.
The authority has also identified the registered owner of the plot where the construction was taking place.
NCA's statement comes hours after the Nairobi City County Government also released a statement, revealing what caused the collapse.
The county government claimed that the use of substandard materials like timber gun tree supports instead of steel props, for the double volume slab, led to the collapse.
An initial police report said that the building had reached the first-floor level when the floor caved in, leading to the deaths of two builders who were working on the site.
The collapse came less than two weeks after another 16-storey building, which was also under construction, collapsed in Nairobi's South C estate, leading to the death of two people, raising questions about the safety of the buildings being erected in the country's capital.
The relevant authorities have linked these recent collapses to poor enforcement of building laws, corruption, and the use of substandard building materials.
Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja called for county governments to be granted prosecutorial powers to directly sue developers who violate construction laws, noting that such authority solely lies with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
NCA recently stopped the construction of a number of buildings in Kisumu County, citing non-compliance. The move followed growing concern over unsafe building practices and aimed to ensure that all construction projects adhered to required safety standards and regulatory guidelines.
