Nairobi Governor Sakaja disputes building collapse details

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has issued a six-hour ultimatum to Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, demanding the removal of social media posts regarding a disputed development approval in Eastleigh. Sakaja’s legal team accused the MP of publishing misleading information on X and Facebook concerning the approval status of a property linked to a recent building collapse. The Governor’s lawyers stated the posts wrongly attributed the approval to Sakaja in his capacity as a physical planner.

Separately, Sakaja has demanded an explanation from the Kamukunji Police Station regarding the release of suspects arrested in connection with the Eastleigh building collapse. Following enforcement actions by Nairobi City County, suspects were handed over to police after the county established that while a change of user was approved, the specific architectural plans required for construction were not.

Records indicate that 14 suspects were initially booked in June 2026 for contravening city planning laws, but 10 were subsequently released on a cash bail of Sh50,000 without being presented in court. Sakaja is questioning why the suspects were released and why construction was permitted to continue.