By Mumo Judah | July 20, 2026
A Nairobi court has issued a warrant of arrest against Nairobi County official John Gombe Osike after he failed to appear in court as directed in a case linked to the collapse of a building in South C that claimed two lives earlier this year.
The warrant was issued by a Milimani Magistrate after the prosecution informed the court that Osike had failed to attend the scheduled proceedings and had not provided any explanation for his absence.
During the court session, the defence informed the magistrate that two of the other accused persons were also absent but had valid reasons. One was reportedly unwell, while the other was attending a family funeral.
However, the court noted that no explanation had been offered for Osike’s failure to appear and consequently ordered his immediate arrest to ensure his attendance in future proceedings.
The case arises from the collapse of Mamliz Towers in South C on January 2, 2026, an incident that left two people dead and raised fresh concerns over compliance with building regulations and construction safety standards in Nairobi.
Following the tragedy, investigations were launched into the circumstances surrounding the construction and approval of the building.
Several individuals, including county officials and other suspects connected to the project, have since been charged with various offences, among them manslaughter and forgery of building approval documents.
The prosecution alleges that irregularities in the approval process and failures in oversight may have contributed to the collapse, allegations that the accused persons are expected to contest during the trial.
The issuance of the arrest warrant marks another development in the high-profile case, which has attracted significant public interest amid growing calls for greater accountability in the construction sector.
The collapse of the building reignited concerns about illegal developments, weak enforcement of planning regulations and the safety of buildings within Nairobi and other urban centres.
Authorities have repeatedly pledged to strengthen oversight of construction projects and ensure that those found responsible for violating building laws are held accountable.
The matter has been scheduled for mention on July 27, 2026, when the court expects John Gombe Osike to be presented before the magistrate following the execution of the arrest warrant.
The proceedings are expected to determine the next steps in the prosecution of the accused persons as the court continues hearing the case surrounding one of Nairobi’s most tragic building collapses in recent months.
