Construction Crisis: 18 Deaths in Three Disasters in Tanzania's Capital

A devastating retaining wall collapse on Riverside Drive in Nairobi has resulted in four fatalities and 11 injuries, marking the third major construction-related disaster in the city in just over three weeks. The incident occurred on a Saturday morning near Grand Residence as workers reported for their daily shifts. The wall gave way suddenly, burying workers beneath tonnes of debris and triggering an emergency rescue operation.

This latest tragedy brings the reported death toll from three disasters to at least 18, with dozens more people injured or rescued. The back-to-back tragedies have exposed the human cost of persistent failures in construction oversight, despite repeated government assurances that safety standards would be enforced and rogue developers brought to account. Critics term the situation as a result of neglect, possible engineering failures, and disregard for workers’ safety.

The collapse involved a retaining wall at a site where the main structure had yet to rise above its foundation, raising questions about the engineering standards and precautions used to support the excavation and prevent the surrounding soil from giving way. According to Nairobi City County Chief Officer for Disaster Management and Coordination Bramwell Simiyu, the main building was still at the excavation and foundation stage, with no upper floors erected.

The incident has triggered a political backlash, with leaders accusing Nairobi City Hall of failing to enforce construction regulations and protect residents and workers. Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri and Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai have blamed the county administration for the disaster, with Alai calling for those responsible for enforcing construction standards to face criminal consequences.

Workers at the site have accused the contractor of ignoring safety concerns and exposing them to dangerous working conditions. Kevin Amadi, who lost a cousin in the collapse, claimed he had warned the contractor that the wall was unstable. Another worker, Samuel Paul, described exploitative working conditions at the site, including long working hours without a lunch break and inadequate pay.

The main contractor has been identified as Nishchay Builders Limited, while Custom Homes Limited is listed as the developer. The county government has announced a comprehensive structural and regulatory compliance audit, jointly undertaken by its Department of Built Environment and Urban Planning and the National Construction Authority, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

The investigations aim to establish whether the retaining wall was properly designed and constructed, whether excavation works complied with approved plans, and whether adequate safety precautions were taken before workers were allowed into the area. The audit is expected to shed more light on the causes of the disaster and potentially lead to further action against those responsible.

Key points

• 18 reported deaths in three construction-related disasters in Nairobi.