A 13-floor residential complex under construction along Peponi Road in Westlands, Nairobi, has sparked alarm after visible cracks raised concerns of an imminent collapse, prompting evacuation notices for neighbouring properties.
The development, known as Donyo Hill Residences and located in the affluent Upper Parklands area, was intended to offer luxury apartments with panoramic views over Karura Forest.
Experts have highlighted structural fissures, while nearby residents report receiving urgent warnings to vacate for safety reasons.
The National Construction Authority has initiated an investigation into the developers and engineers responsible, focusing on potential breaches in building standards and oversight.
Sources indicate the probe will examine approval processes and construction quality amid growing scrutiny of rapid urban development.
Nairobi’s skyline has seen a proliferation of upscale apartment blocks in recent years, many catering to short-stay rentals for expatriates and tourists.
This boom, driven by demand in neighbourhoods like Westlands, has however exposed vulnerabilities, with critics pointing to shortcuts in materials, rushed timelines and inadequate enforcement leading to substandard structures and risks to infrastructure.
The incident echoes recurring issues in Kenya’s construction sector, where lax regulation has contributed to past collapses and near-misses. Authorities emphasise the need for stricter compliance to protect lives in a city experiencing explosive growth.
