An 18-storey building collapse in Eastleigh, Nairobi, has raised questions over the actual contractor behind the construction project. Investigations suggest that the project may have been undertaken by an individual who is not registered as a contractor. The director of Stromax Holdings E.A. Limited, the company listed by the National Construction Authority (NCA) as the contractor, has distanced himself from the construction.
The director of Stromax Holdings E.A. Limited claimed that his brother, who is not a registered contractor, asked to use the company’s details to secure NCA approvals. He granted the request and responded to official NCA emails, confirming that his company was undertaking the project, despite claiming he had no involvement in the construction. However, the director’s brother has offered a different account, shifting responsibility back to Stromax Holdings E.A. Limited.
According to the brother, Stromax Holdings E.A. Limited engaged him as a labour contractor to oversee structural works, including masonry and steel fixing. He claims his role was limited to providing skilled and semi-skilled workers and executing the works under the company’s instructions. An engineer reportedly supervised the project and approved the works, raising fresh questions about oversight, accountability, and what went wrong before the building collapse.
Over 20 people have recorded statements with police as investigations into the tragedy intensify. One of the three developers has given a statement, while the landowners are expected to present themselves to police in the coming days. Investigations have revealed that the landowners made two separate applications to develop the property, paying Ksh.1.1 million to Nairobi County.
However, the application remained pending on the national planning and development management system after the project manager failed to address four issues flagged by the county. The National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) Director Dr. Duncan Ochieng and Nairobi North County Commissioner Simon Osumba have confirmed that a body was recovered from the site, which will be identified through DNA testing.
Despite the latest recovery, the number of people reported missing remains at 16. Another family has come forward to report a missing relative to the Kenya Red Cross, saying the individual was believed to be in the vicinity when the building collapsed last Friday. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to clear the debris and reach victims believed to be buried beneath the wreckage.
The recovery of the body brings closure to one family, but the incident has raised concerns about building regulations and oversight in Nairobi. The incident is under investigation, and authorities are working to determine the cause of the collapse and hold those responsible accountable.
Key points
- The actual contractor behind the construction project remains unclear.
- Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the collapse.
- 17 people have been confirmed dead, with 16 still reported missing.
