It is said show me your character, and I will tell you the kind of person you are.
Critics now argue that the fact Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is surrounded by what they describe as deal breakers and corrupt individuals speaks volumes about his leadership, following explosive claims linked to the South C building collapse.
The criticism follows fresh allegations that a collapsed 16-storey building in South C was illegally approved beyond its permitted height, with claims of bribery and collusion now dragging senior county officials and national regulators into the spotlight.
Screenshot by Kenya Digest from @https://x.com/RobertAlai/status/2007047068138000676
The development, located on LR No. 209/5909/10 (Nairobi Block 68/1306), collapsed earlier this month, reigniting public anger over unchecked construction in Nairobi.
Approval limits questioned
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, in a post on X, alleged that the building had been approved to rise only 12 floors under approval reference PLUPA-BPM-003455-N, yet construction had reached the 16th floor before the collapse.
According to Alai, the additional floors were irregularly sanctioned, allowing the developer to flout planning regulations.
He claimed that the extra floors were approved by Frederick Ochanda and Patrick Analo, allegedly to facilitate a Ksh25M bribe. Alai argued that the approvals were granted without mandatory public participation, in breach of the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, and warned that such practices directly endanger lives.
Kileleshwa Member of County Assembly Robert Alai. Photo Courtesy: People’s daily.
County approval documents seen in relation to the project indicate that permission was granted on December 19, 2023, for the construction of 80 apartments across 12 levels along Kigangjo Avenue in South C, Lang’ata Sub-county. The approval was issued following deliberations by the Urban Planning Technical Committee.
Pressure on Sakaja administration
Alai further alleged that the officers did not act alone, claiming they worked alongside individuals within the governor’s office, including Osman Khalif, as well as officials from the National Environment Management Authority.
He described the alleged network as a cartel determined to profit from illegal developments while undermining planning laws.
The claims have intensified pressure on Governor Sakaja’s administration, which has repeatedly pledged to rein in rogue developers following a series of deadly building collapses in Nairobi.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja looking emotional durng a past event. Photo: Nation Source: Facebook.
Critics argue that the South C incident exposes systemic failures in enforcement, oversight and accountability.
At the time of publication, Nairobi City County had not issued an official response to the allegations. The named individuals have also not publicly commented on the claims.
As investigations into the collapse continue, the incident has renewed calls for independent probes, suspension of implicated officers and a comprehensive audit of high-rise approvals across the capital.