Johnson Sakaja now finds himself at the center of public anger after a deadly building collapse in Nairobi’s South C area that exposed deep cracks in leadership and accountability. In the early hours of the morning, a multi storey building under construction came crashing down, killing at least two security guards and two Bolt drivers together with some of their passengers as per the reports by Robert Alai.
The scene was painful and chaotic. Rescue teams rushed in, but lives were already lost. This tragedy has shaken the city and raised serious questions about how such a dangerous structure was allowed to stand under the watch of the county government led by Sakaja.
The building stood on land reference number 209/5909/10 and had originally been approved for 12 floors. However, it later rose to 17 floors after five extra levels were added illegally. Reports indicate that this expansion happened after a bribe of 25 million shillings was paid and shared among officials within the Nairobi County Physical Planning department.
This was not a simple mistake or a technical error. It points to a system where money speaks louder than safety and where rules are bent without fear of consequences. The collapse was not sudden or unavoidable. It was the result of choices made by people who knew the risks but went ahead anyway.
Several individuals now face public scrutiny. These include senior county officials in planning and development control, building inspectors, engineers, architects, the contractor, and the property owner.
Their collective responsibility cannot be ignored. If the approvals had followed the law, this building would not have stood tall enough to collapse in such a deadly way. People lost their lives because duty was abandoned for personal gain.
Names such as Fredrick Ochanda, Patrick Analo, and Osman Khalif have been mentioned in connection with claims that illegal buildings and billboards are allowed as long as money changes hands. These claims reflect what many Nairobi residents have believed for years. The system appears to reward corruption and punish honesty. At the top of this system sits Governor Johnson Sakaja.
As the head of the county government, he carries responsibility for what happens under his administration. Many residents believe that under his leadership, enforcement has weakened and accountability has faded.
Similar complaints have been raised before in areas such as Parklands, Westlands, and Kilimani, where questionable approvals have continued without consequence.
The anger is not limited to ordinary citizens. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has openly demanded answers and accountability, saying that Nairobi residents are being placed in danger by leaders who allow corruption to thrive.
On social media, many people say the city has become unsafe, not because of crime alone, but because buildings can collapse without warning due to failed leadership and greed.
Nairobi has a long history of illegal constructions, ignored safety standards, and weak enforcement.
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