Babu Owino Accuses Sakaja of Lying to Kenyans Over Eastleigh Building Approval

Nairobi politician Babu Owino has accused Governor Johnson Sakaja of misleading Kenyans over the approval status of a multi-storey building that collapsed in Eastleigh, Nairobi, raising fresh questions about the county government’s role in regulating construction.

The controversy follows the collapse of the building on Friday, October 23, 2026, which triggered an emergency rescue operation and renewed public concern about building safety in the capital.

Owino’s accusation centres on the difference between approving a property’s change of use and approving the actual building plans. He claims Sakaja approved the construction, despite later telling Kenyans that the building had no approval.

However, reports published on October 24 indicate that the county approved a change of use in 2024 but did not approve the architectural plans submitted later that year.

Meanwhile, rescue teams have been working to find people feared trapped beneath the rubble. The Associated Press reported on October 24 that one person had been rescued, while the Kenya Red Cross had recorded 31 missing people, with the reports still being verified.

The incident has renewed calls for stricter inspections, better enforcement of construction regulations and accountability for officials or professionals found to have failed in their duties.

Owino’s accusation against Sakaja adds a political dimension to the tragedy. However, the available reports do not independently establish that Sakaja personally approved the building’s construction plans or deliberately misled Kenyans.

Investigations into the building’s approval history and the circumstances surrounding its collapse will be important in determining who bears responsibility.

Sources: https://www.facebook.com/share/19voRcA51R/

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