Patrick Analo and Fredrick Ochanda are at the center of a serious corruption case that has raised major concerns about safety and integrity in Nairobi’s building approval system.
The two senior Nairobi City County officials are accused of approving illegal extra floors on a high-rise building in South C after allegedly receiving a Ksh 25 million bribe.
The building, located on Land Reference Number 209/5909/10 along Kiganjo Avenue in Langata Sub-county, was initially approved for only 12 floors but had already gone up to 16 floors.
The issue came to light through information shared by Nairobi County Assembly member Robert Alai, who published documents showing how the original approval was abused.
Official records indicate that the building was cleared under permit number PLUPA-BPM-003455-N for 80 apartments across 12 levels in a mixed-use development.
This approval was granted on December 19, 2023, following consideration by the Urban Planning Technical Committee. Despite this clear limit, construction continued beyond the approved height without proper authorization.
According to the allegations, Analo and Ochanda approved an additional five floors outside the law.
This decision ignored basic safety standards and planning rules set under the Physical and Land Use Planning Act of 2019. Buildings are designed based on approved plans, and adding extra floors increases pressure on the structure.
This puts residents, workers, and nearby communities at risk. Nairobi has previously experienced deadly building collapses, making this issue especially sensitive.
The matter is not limited to just two officials. The claims point to a wider network of individuals who allegedly work together to push through illegal approvals. Names mentioned include Osman Khalif from the governor’s office and National Environment Management Authority Director General Mamo Boru Mamo.
This group is accused of bypassing public participation and environmental checks that are meant to protect residents and ensure orderly development.
South C is already facing challenges such as traffic congestion, drainage problems, and pressure on water and sewer systems. Allowing illegal extra floors means more people are packed into areas that were not planned for such numbers.
This strains services and lowers the quality of life for residents. Officials tasked with urban planning are expected to prevent such problems, not make them worse.
Documents shared in this case clearly show that the original approval did not allow for extra floors. The fact that construction went beyond what was approved suggests a breakdown of oversight and enforcement. It also raises questions about how many other buildings across Nairobi may be standing on similar illegal approvals.
Investigations by bodies such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations are necessary to establish the truth and ensure accountability. Suspending the involved officials during investigations would help protect public trust.
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