Families demand answers as Nairobi building collapse probe hits 100 days

A version of this article appeared on Nation.Africa.

Families of the 11 victims who died during a building collapse in Nairobi have expressed growing frustration as the official probe into the disaster marks 100 days with no tangible results. The incident, which left dozens injured and several households displaced, initially triggered promises of swift legal and regulatory action from government agencies.

Locals in the affected area now say they feel hoodwinked by the state. Despite early assurances that those responsible for the structural failure would be held to account, no significant arrests or prosecutions have been finalized three months later.

The delay has cast a shadow over the oversight capabilities of the National Construction Authority and the Nairobi County planning department. Critics argue that the lack of momentum in the investigation suggests a return to the status quo, where developers often bypass safety protocols without facing long-term consequences.

Survivors and relatives of the deceased are calling for transparency regarding the findings of the technical teams. Many believe the slow pace of the inquiry is a deliberate attempt to let the matter fade from public memory, leaving them without compensation or closure.

This stalemate comes at a time when the construction sector is under intense scrutiny. While the government has prioritized the expansion of housing projects, the recurring nature of these collapses highlights persistent gaps in the enforcement of building codes and the supervision of active sites.

President Ruto has previously emphasized the need for strict adherence to safety standards in the construction industry, yet the slow progress of this specific probe raises questions about the practical implementation of such directives at the local level.

For the residents who witnessed the tragedy, the primary concern remains the safety of existing structures in the neighborhood. They maintain that without clear penalties for the owners and contractors involved in the 11 deaths, other substandard projects will continue to put lives at risk.

The families have signaled their intent to seek alternative avenues for justice if the government remains silent. For now, the site remains a stark reminder of a disaster that, 100 days on, remains officially unresolved.