Fresh Twist in Eastleigh Building Collapse as Listed Engineer Issues Statement

In a notice on Monday, October 26, 2026, Mugu said he had, through his advocates, requested project records from the NCA and Nairobi City County Government to establish the information relied upon in identifying him in connection with the building.

He further called for thorough investigations into the circumstances surrounding the construction and collapse, adding that he was ready and willing to cooperate fully with investigative authorities. However, the engineer has distanced himself from the work on the Eastleigh building.

“I, Eng. Joseph Muturi Mugu, issue this notice following the National Construction Authority’s press statement dated 23.10.2026 identifying me as the structural engineer for the above building. I dissociate myself from the construction works involved in that building,” the notice issued on October 26 read.

The notice follows the collapse of the multi-story building on October 23, 2026, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirming that 67 construction workers were at the site.

He also said people believed to have been inside shops on the ground floor and in the basement were unaccounted for.

The Kenya Red Cross opened a tracing desk to help families locate missing relatives.

On October 25, the National Police Service confirmed that it had rescued four people, who were receiving medical attention.

In a statement issued on October 23, the NCA said the proposed development is on Land Reference Number 36/II/40, 9th Street, Eastleigh.

The NCA said it registered the development on July 30, 2025, under project number 53128815710410.

The NCA listed 9th Street Plaza Limited as the developer and Stromax Holdings E—a Limited as the contractor.

Architect Emmanuel Mwangi Maina, registration number A2045, was listed as the project architect, while Eng. Joseph Muturi Mugu, registration number A2750, was named as the structural engineer.

“The contractor on record is Stromax Holdings E. A Limited (registration number 41669/B/0618). The professionals listed on record are Arch. Emmanuel Mwangi Maina (registration number A2045) as the project architect and Eng. Joseph Muturi Mugu (registration number A2750), as the project structural engineer,” NCA stated.

According to the Authority, the site had been cordoned off, and a multi-agency team was coordinating rescue efforts and conducting preliminary investigations.

Also Read: Two Survivors Rescued From Collapsed Eastleigh Building as KDF Takes Over High-Stakes Rescue Mission

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has disputed claims that the building received development approval.

In a statement dated October 25, Sakaja said a document circulating online as proof of approval was misleading.

He argued that approval to change a property’s use was distinct from approval to undertake the proposed development.

According to the governor, an application to change the property’s use from residential to residential and commercial was submitted in August 2024 and approved on October 17, 2024.

He said he submitted a separate development application in November 2024 but had not received approval.

“I have seen some people peddling a fake approval document alleging that the Eastleigh development was approved. It is telling that the Eastleigh developer used the same document to get NCA approval. They allege that the development was approved in January of 2024. This is not true,” Sakaja stated.

Sakaja shared an application for a proposed mixed-use development on 9th Street, Eastleigh, on November 25, 2024.

In addition, the governor referenced a Nairobi City County enforcement notice dated June 15, 2025, effective July 9, 2025.

The document says the county issued a 14-day notice to stop construction on July 29, 2026.

A county investigating officer forwarded a case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for perusal and legal advice over alleged planning-law offenses.

According to Sakaja, enforcement action was taken against the development before the collapse.

Also Read: Several Feared Trapped as Mall Collapses in Eastleigh

Sakaja’s clarification follows Embakasi East MP Babu Owino’s claims, after he shared a document showing the development was approved on February 13, 2024.

The document, titled “Notification of Approval of Application,” references application number PLUPA-COU-000821-N and describes a proposed development comprising 35 residential units, a restaurant, a mosque and shops on L.R. No. 36/II/40, 9th Street, Eastleigh.

It states that the application, submitted on December 27, 2023, was approved on February 13, 2024, subject to conditions.

The conditions required submitting satisfactory structural details covering foundations, beams, columns, and trusses, and obtaining an occupation certificate before the building could be occupied.

Owino accused Sakaja of misleading the public about the approval status and alleged that the governor received a KSh120 million bribe.

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Faith Mwangi is a digital news writer at The Kenya Times with a strong foundation in multimedia journalism. She specializes in current affairs, education, and social justice reporting, with a keen focus on underreported stories affecting communities. Driven by a commitment to authentic storytelling and ethical journalism, she continues to grow in the dynamic digital media landscape. She can be reached at [email protected]

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