Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has pledged to shoulder funeral expenses for families who lost their relatives in the devastating Eastleigh building collapse, offering financial relief to households still grappling with the shock of the tragedy.
The legislator made the commitment after meeting bereaved families on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, where he conveyed his condolences and promised to facilitate the burial arrangements for those who died when an 18-storey building came crashing down in Nairobi’s Eastleigh neighbourhood.
Owino committed to settling mortuary bills, providing coffins and facilitating the transportation of the bodies to their respective burial destinations.
The intervention comes at a difficult moment for the affected families, some of whom have spent days at mortuaries and the accident scene seeking information about their missing relatives and waiting to complete the painful process of identifying their loved ones.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms, the MP described the deaths as particularly painful because of the circumstances surrounding the collapse, which he suggested could potentially have been prevented.
His pledge is expected to ease the financial pressure on families who must now contend with burial expenses while trying to rebuild their lives after losing breadwinners, relatives and loved ones.
The legislator also offered prayers and expressed solidarity with the affected households, wishing them strength as they navigate the difficult period.
Tragedy that shook Eastleigh
The MP’s intervention follows the collapse of an 18-storey building in Eastleigh on October 23, 2026, an incident that triggered a massive rescue operation involving government agencies, security officers and emergency response teams.
The building came down with workers and other people reportedly trapped beneath tonnes of concrete, steel and construction debris.
The disaster sparked an intensive search and rescue exercise as emergency teams deployed heavy machinery and specialised equipment to access sections of the collapsed structure.
Four people were rescued alive, while eight bodies were recovered during the operation.
Authorities officially called off the search and rescue exercise on November 6, after 15 days of operations, although concerns persisted over people initially reported missing.
The incident left families devastated, with some relatives spending nights near the site in the hope of receiving information about their loved ones.
For many households, the tragedy has brought not only emotional anguish but also unexpected financial difficulties associated with hospital visits, mortuary services, identification procedures and funeral preparations.
Families question government’s response
The collapse has also exposed tensions between affected families and authorities over the management of the disaster and the support promised to victims.
Some bereaved relatives have accused the Nairobi County Government of abandoning them after expectations were raised that assistance would be provided to facilitate the burial of the deceased.
The families’ concerns have extended beyond funeral arrangements to questions about the speed of the rescue operation, communication from authorities and the identification of those who died.
Post-mortem examinations conducted on the recovered bodies have provided further information about the circumstances of the deaths.
Reports indicated that most victims suffered severe physical trauma, while two died from suffocation.
The uncertainty surrounding the missing persons has compounded the suffering of families who have struggled to establish the whereabouts of their relatives.
The Kenya Red Cross has also been involved in supporting affected families during the identification and post-mortem processes.
Building safety questions return to spotlight
Beyond the humanitarian response, the Eastleigh disaster has reignited debate over construction standards, building approvals and the enforcement of safety regulations in Nairobi.
The collapse has raised difficult questions about how a high-rise building could fail with such devastating consequences and whether the relevant regulatory authorities adequately discharged their responsibilities.
Nairobi has experienced persistent concerns over unauthorised construction, non-compliance with approved building plans and the safety of structures erected in densely populated neighbourhoods.
Eastleigh, one of the capital’s busiest commercial and residential districts, has undergone extensive construction and redevelopment over the years, increasing the importance of effective inspections and strict adherence to building standards.
The tragedy has therefore intensified calls for accountability and a transparent investigation into the circumstances that led to the collapse.
Questions surrounding construction permits, structural integrity, supervision and compliance with safety requirements remain central to the public debate.
For families who lost their relatives, however, the immediate priority is securing dignified burials and obtaining answers about the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Babu’s intervention and the politics of public solidarity
Owino’s pledge places him among political leaders who have stepped forward to support families affected by the disaster.
The commitment also underscores the role elected representatives can play in responding to emergencies that leave ordinary households exposed to sudden financial hardship.
By offering to settle mortuary bills, provide coffins and organise transportation, the Embakasi East legislator has addressed some of the immediate practical challenges facing the bereaved families.
However, the longer-term needs of those affected extend beyond funeral assistance.
Families may require sustained psychosocial support, financial assistance and help navigating investigations and compensation processes.
There is also a broader responsibility on national and county authorities to ensure that those affected by the disaster are not left to shoulder the consequences alone.
The Eastleigh collapse has demonstrated how construction failures can turn an ordinary working day into a devastating family tragedy.
As the affected households prepare to lay their loved ones to rest, Owino’s pledge offers immediate relief, but the demand for accountability and stronger enforcement of building regulations remains unanswered.
For the bereaved families, a dignified burial is an important first step towards healing. What they ultimately need, however, is justice, answers and assurance that such a disaster will not be repeated.
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