Babu Owino Accuses Sakaja of Misleading Kenyans Over Approval of Eastleigh Building

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has accused Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja of misleading Kenyans over the approval status of a building that collapsed in East leigh, Nairobi, raising questions about the county government’s role in the construction process.

Owino called for accountability following the collapse of the multi-storey building on Friday, October 23, 2026, which triggered a major rescue operation as emergency teams searched for people trapped beneath the rubble.

The legislator questioned how the building was allowed to rise despite concerns about the approvals and inspections required before and during construction. He challenged the county administration to explain the decisions made by officials responsible for overseeing development projects in the area.

Governor Sakaja, however, maintained that although the county had approved a change of use for the property in 2024, the subsequent application for the building’s architectural plans was not approved. He said the county had also issued enforcement orders and forwarded documentation to investigators.

The governor further stated that the building lacked an occupation certificate, raising additional questions about how businesses were operating on the ground floor while construction continued.

The collapse has renewed public scrutiny of building regulations, development approvals and the enforcement of construction safety standards in Nairobi. Authorities are expected to investigate the roles played by the developer, contractors, professionals and relevant public officials.

Owino’s remarks add to growing calls for a transparent investigation to establish what led to the tragedy and determine whether any individuals or institutions failed to fulfil their legal responsibilities.

As rescue operations and investigations continue, attention remains focused on accountability and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BCXEuyaNX/