Kenyan High Court Stays Arrests Over Nairobi Building Collapse

The High Court of Kenya granted a temporary stay on the arrest, charging and prosecution of three officials—Patrick Analo Akivaga, David Kibui Kigathi and a third applicant—linked to the collapse of Manzil Towers C in the South C area of Nairobi. Justice Dr. Nabil Mokaya Orina ordered a suspension of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ case until the applicants file a substantive judicial review, allowing them to challenge charges of abuse of office and neglect of official duty related to the January 2 2026 incident that caused two deaths.

The court set deadlines for filing the review and for the respondents to reply, with a further hearing scheduled for September 16 2026. The order effectively halts any arrest or further criminal proceedings against the three applicants pending the outcome of the review.