By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 5 January 2026 - The government has shifted focus from rescue operations to accountability following the deadly building collapse in Nairobi’s South C area, with Cabinet Secretary for Special Programmes Geoffrey Ruku warning that prosecutions will follow once investigations are concluded.
In an update issued as rescue and recovery efforts entered their final phase, CS Ruku said authorities are comprehensively analysing all aspects surrounding the incident, a statement that places culpability and negligence firmly at the centre of the state’s response.
His remarks suggest that the collapse is no longer being treated as a tragic accident alone, but as a potential failure of compliance, oversight or enforcement.
“We will make public our findings on the cause of the collapse as soon as possible, and anyone found culpable of negligence will be prosecuted,” Ruku said, signalling a tougher posture by the government amid growing public anger over recurrent building failures in urban areas.
The CS’s comments come against the backdrop of long-standing concerns over enforcement of construction standards, corruption in approvals and weak supervision by county and national agencies.
By publicly committing to prosecutions, the government appears keen to demonstrate that this case will not be added to the long list of unresolved urban disasters.
Ruku also expressed the government’s deep empathy with the family of one of the victims whose body has already been recovered.
At the same time, he confirmed that efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining person believed to be trapped in the rubble, underscoring that the operation remains both a humanitarian and legal priority.
However, he was clear that due process would not be sacrificed, even in the face of public pressure and grief.
“We must undertake all necessary processes to properly identify the body before allowing the family to proceed with burial,” he said, adding that the government will offer full support to ensure a dignified send-off once identification is complete.
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This insistence on procedure reflects a balancing act by the state—responding with compassion while preserving the integrity of investigations that may later form the basis of criminal charges.
Flanked by leaders from Nairobi and Marsabit, Ruku revealed that the rescue and recovery operation is about 70% complete and is expected to conclude soon.
The presence of leaders from different regions was a deliberate signal of national attention, as the tragedy has reignited debate on urban safety beyond Nairobi.
Politically, the South C collapse presents a test case for the government’s commitment to accountability.
Previous incidents have often ended with reports and recommendations, but few high-profile convictions.
Ruku’s explicit reference to prosecution raises expectations that this time will be different.
For residents and victims’ families, the ultimate measure of justice will not lie in press briefings but in courtrooms.
As the rescue operation winds down, attention is now squarely on investigators, regulators and prosecutors—and whether the promise that “anyone found culpable will be prosecuted” will translate into concrete legal action.
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