The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) has demanded swift and decisive action by authorities to prosecute all individuals found responsible for the deaths resulting from the collapse of a building in South C, Nairobi.

In a statement issued on behalf of religious leaders drawn from the Christian, Muslim and Hindu faiths, the IRCK expressed solidarity with Kenyans, particularly families who lost their loved ones in what it termed a “man-made tragedy.”

“At least four people were trapped when a building that had been approved and supervised by both National and County Government authorities collapsed in South C,” the council said. The victims included two watchmen guarding the building and two passers-by who were in the vicinity at the time of the incident.

The council noted that while the Government of Kenya, through Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, has promised to leave no stone unturned, religious leaders remain deeply disturbed by what they described as the casual manner in which loss of life caused by negligence is often treated in the country.

“Let us be a country that adheres to the rule of law regardless of our political or social status,” the IRCK stated, adding that accountability must not be selective.

The council called on the National Police Service, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Judiciary and all relevant professional bodies to work jointly with the clear intention of prosecuting all those found responsible for the deaths of innocent Kenyans.

In its specific demands, the IRCK emphasized that human life, whether of the rich or the poor, must be respected and held sacred as intended by God in creation. The council further demanded that all individuals who contributed to the loss of life and property—through acts of commission, omission or negligence—be held fully accountable.

“As we speak now, we expect the owner or owners of the building, the contractor and all public officers involved in the approval and supervision of the building in question to be held accountable, regardless of their political, social or economic status,” the statement read.

The religious leaders also urged Nairobi City County to immediately halt the approval and construction of high-rise buildings until the county “puts its house in order,” noting that such deaths are regrettable and entirely preventable.

Beyond the South C tragedy, the IRCK made a broader rallying call for national unity and dialogue, citing the many challenges currently facing the country. The council recommended the establishment of a strong consultative framework bringing together religious organizations, political parties, non-state actors, parliamentary committees and the executive to address matters of national concern in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.

“May God bless Kenya; may God have mercy on us,” the statement concluded.