South C residents protest building collapse, demand government action
via Tuko3 min read
Residents of Nairobi's South C area protested at Ardhi House on Monday, April 20, demanding government action following the collapse of a 16-story building on Muhoho Avenue on January 2, 2026. Led by the South C Residents Association, the demonstrators accused authorities of negligence and broken promises regarding building safety inquiries. They called for criminal proceedings against developers and officials linked to unsafe construction practices. The association's chairperson, Abdi Karim Hassan, stated that public safety should not be sacrificed for political connections or developer greed. Protesters urged Lands, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome to take urgent action, citing two fatalities from the January collapse. They demanded the publication of a Multi-Agency Inquiry Report, a public safety certification or demolition order for Bridge Port Apartments due to structural damage, and the names of Nairobi County and National Construction Authority officials who failed to follow up on enforcement notices. Karim also called for evidence that developers and consultants involved in the projects have been de-registered and barred from further construction. Letters were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Mulele Ingonga and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja Kirocho, urging legal action against the developer, contractor Abyan Consulting Limited, the Nairobi City County Technical Committee, and county compliance teams led by Urba
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Tuko.
The body of Edwin Njunguna, a Kenyan truck driver killed in Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo DRC, has arrived in Kenya. Njunguna, on his first trip to the DRC, was reportedly killed after his truck broke down in a dangerous area. He sent a message to his family stating that armed men nearly attacked him, and although Congolese military officers initially rescued him, they later abandoned him. His body was found decomposing in the bush by fellow Kenyan drivers. The body arrived in Kenya on Sunday, April 19, following his family's request for government intervention. The Kenya Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association of Kenya announced that the body would be preserved in Bungoma ahead of his burial. The incident has prompted strong emotional responses from Kenyans, with Bungoma county governor aspirant Arthur Amug Osiya visiting Njunguna's family in Malaba to offer condolences, highlighting the insecurity affecting civilians in eastern DRC.
President William Ruto has defended Kenya's high fuel prices, addressing public concerns over recent increases. Speaking at a church service in Karen, the president stated that the fuel costs reflect Kenya's status as a low- and middle-income country, distinguishing it from neighboring "least developed countries." Ruto attributed the higher prices to road maintenance levies, explaining that a significant portion of the cost funds road upkeep. He highlighted Kenya's extensive network of over 20,000 kilometers of tarmac roads, which he noted surpasses the combined networks of other East African countries like Uganda and Tanzania. The president clarified that fuel taxes are specifically allocated to transport infrastructure, aiming to boost the economy through improved connectivity, trade, and mobility. This defense comes after the Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority EPRA released new fuel prices on April 14, showing Kenya with higher fuel costs compared to Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro criticized the price hikes, proposing measures such as removing a KSh 7 fuel levy and reducing VAT by 5% to lower prices by an estimated KSh 27.
Nairobi's customer service chief officer, Geoffrey Mosiria, has been lauded by Kenyans for his compassionate actions in transforming the life of Martha Njoki. Mosiria rescued Njoki from the streets several months ago, where she was battling depression and substance abuse. He recently shared photos of her remarkable transformation, noting that some initially viewed his efforts as a public relations stunt. Mosiria emphasized that he saw a human being in need of a second chance, despite others perceiving her as dirty and unwell. He expressed delight that Njoki has reformed and has been reunited with her children, whom she had not seen for seven years and who believed she had died. Mosiria thanked the Rapid Rehabilitation Centre for Addiction for their role in Njoki's recovery and urged Kenyans to show compassion to those in need, stating that choosing compassion over judgment can change lives.
A family in Kiminini, Trans Nzoia, is seeking government assistance to repatriate the body of Mohamed Ali Abdi, who reportedly died in Cambodia in October 2025. The family stated they received conflicting reports regarding Abdi's death and an alleged cremation. His mother, Halima Abdi, mentioned they were unaware he had traveled to Cambodia until news of his death. A neighbor, Peter Wanyonyi, noted that while they initially heard of his cremation and held a ceremony, they were later informed his body was not cremated and the challenge was the repatriation fee. The family received an email in January 2026, reportedly from the Kenyan Embassy, requesting KSh 1.5 million for the repatriation. They are appealing to President William Ruto to help bring Abdi's body back for burial, also asking for an explanation of his presence in Cambodia. This incident occurs amidst reports of Kenyans being lured overseas for jobs and subsequently facing tragic circumstances.