MUKONO, Uganda — Tenants of a ten-storey residential building along Kabiria Road in Riruta Satellite, Dagoretti South, were forced to flee their homes after a loud bang on the seventh floor and the discovery of a major wall crack raised concerns about the structure’s safety.
The incident prompted an emergency response by police officers and Nairobi City County officials, who ordered all occupants to vacate the premises as authorities assessed the building.
Residents reportedly raised the alarm after hearing the loud bang and discovering a large crack on one of the walls. They subsequently contacted Riruta Police Station and county officials, prompting their intervention.
Officers who arrived at the scene inspected the premises and the visible cracks before directing tenants to leave the building as a precaution.
The evacuation triggered a hurried departure, with residents scrambling to remove their household belongings and seek alternative accommodation. Some were reportedly forced to leave behind household items as they prioritised their safety.
Police officers remained at the premises to oversee the situation and prevent unauthorised access as further assessments were awaited.
Nairobi County declares building dangerous
In an enforcement notice served on October 31, 2026, Nairobi City County described the property as a dangerous and ruinous permanent structure and directed that all occupants vacate the premises.
The notice identifies the property as Nairobi Block 66/7880, situated along Kabiria Road in Riruta Ward, Dagoretti South Sub-County.
It describes the development as a permanent residential structure comprising 10 levels of occupation.
The county cited alleged violations of the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, No. 13 of 2019, the Building Code 2024 and other applicable regulations.
According to the notice, the development was undertaken without the required planning permission, prompting enforcement action against the property.
Among the directives issued was the immediate vacation of all occupants and removal of the structure.
The county warned that failure to comply could result in enforcement measures being undertaken, with the associated costs recoverable from the responsible party as a civil debt.
The notice was signed on behalf of the Director of Planning Compliance and Enforcement.
Building safety concerns return to focus
The Riruta incident comes amid renewed scrutiny of building safety and construction oversight in Nairobi, where concerns over unauthorised developments and compliance with planning regulations have remained prominent.
The evacuation highlights the risks faced by residents when concerns about a building’s condition emerge, particularly in densely populated residential neighbourhoods where many households occupy multi-storey developments.
However, the loud bang and visible wall crack do not, on their own, establish the precise cause or extent of any structural damage.
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A technical assessment by qualified structural engineers is necessary to determine the building’s stability and the appropriate safety measures.
The county’s enforcement notice raises separate questions about the property’s planning approvals and regulatory compliance, which should be distinguished from the technical findings of a structural assessment.
Nairobi County has previously warned property owners to regularise eligible unauthorised developments, giving them until December 31, 2026, to seek the necessary approvals under its regularisation programme.
For the Riruta residents, the immediate concern remains finding alternative accommodation while authorities determine the building’s condition and the next steps.
No official structural assessment findings, confirmed injuries or details of the property’s developer and ownership had been provided in the information available at the time of publication.
