Nairobi, November 1, 2026 — Tenants of a ten-storey apartment block near Kabiria Road in Riruta Satellite, Dagoretti South, fled their homes after a loud bang on the seventh floor sparked fears over the building’s structural integrity. Citizen
The incident began when residents discovered a large crack in one of the walls. They raised the alarm and contacted Riruta Police Station and Nairobi City County officials. Police officers and county enforcement teams responded to the scene, inspected the premises and the visible cracks, and ordered all occupants to vacate the building pending further assessments.
The sudden evacuation left tenants scrambling to move their belongings, with some forced to leave household items behind as they sought temporary accommodation.
Nairobi City County subsequently issued an enforcement notice under the Physical and Land Use Planning Act No. 13 of 2019 and county by-laws. The notice described the building as a “dangerous and ruinous permanent structure.” It identified the property as Nairobi Block 66/7880, located along Kabiria Road in Riruta Ward, Dagoretti South Sub-County, and noted that it is a permanent structure with 10 levels of occupation.
The county cited alleged non-compliance with the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, the Building Code 2024, and other relevant regulations, stating that the development had been undertaken without the required planning permission. Among the directives was the immediate vacation of all occupants and the removal of the structure. The county warned that failure to comply could result in enforcement action, with the cost of such intervention recoverable as a civil debt.
The notice was signed on behalf of the Director of Planning Compliance and Enforcement and served on October 31, 2026. Police officers remain at the site as authorities continue assessments.
The incident has renewed concerns over building safety, planning approvals, and the enforcement of construction regulations in Nairobi’s rapidly expanding residential neighbourhoods.