Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Oburu Oginga has called for a thorough investigation into the collapse of an 18-storey building in Kamkunji, Nairobi, urging authorities to hold accountable all parties found responsible for the tragedy.
In a statement shared on his X account, Oginga expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a reminder of the devastating human cost of regulatory failures and greed in the construction industry.
The ODM leader extended his sympathies to families who lost their loved ones in the tragedy and commended rescue teams from various government agencies for their continued efforts at the scene.
Oginga said the incident should prompt urgent action to strengthen building safety regulations, improve oversight and prevent similar disasters from happening in the future.
He identified tenant safety as one of the key areas requiring attention, urging people to verify the safety and compliance status of buildings before moving into them.
According to Oginga, prospective tenants should establish whether buildings have undergone the necessary safety inspections and received the required approvals for occupation.
He warned that no one should be exposed to life-threatening risks because developers or property owners have ignored essential safety requirements.
The ODM leader also called for an end to construction practices that compromise structural integrity in pursuit of quick profits.
He criticised unscrupulous developers and contractors who, in his view, take dangerous shortcuts during construction, warning that such practices can put the lives of residents and the wider public at risk.
Oginga further directed attention to regulatory authorities responsible for supervising construction projects, saying officials tasked with enforcing building standards must also be held accountable where wrongdoing or negligence is established.
He called for investigations into whether oversight failures contributed to the collapse and urged authorities to take appropriate legal action against any officials found to have ignored violations or failed to enforce safety requirements.
The ODM leader demanded a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, insisting that all parties found culpable should face strict legal consequences.
He maintained that accountability should extend to developers, contractors and regulatory officials, where evidence establishes their responsibility for the tragedy.
The incident has renewed attention on the importance of enforcing construction standards, conducting regular building inspections and ensuring that structures meet safety requirements before they are occupied.
Oginga emphasised that human life must always take precedence over commercial interests, warning that the pursuit of profits should never come at the expense of public safety.
His remarks add to calls for stronger enforcement of building regulations and greater accountability in the construction sector as authorities respond to the Kamkunji disaster.
