A three-year-old child and their nanny narrowly escaped death in Syokimau's Muthama Heights Estate after construction debris from a neighboring site crashed through the roof, landing in their bathroom. 

This incident has sent shockwaves through the community, raising serious concerns about safety and compliance at the ongoing construction site.

The incident occurred despite prior attempts by the National Construction Authority (NCA) to halt the construction. Records reveal that the NCA issued a stop notice on April 15, 2024, but the developer blatantly ignored it, continuing construction with impunity

The scene at Muthama Heights is now one of fear and frustration. 

Families, whose homes once symbolized safety, now live in constant worry. Speaking about the incident, Belinda Odhiambo, the child’s mother, expressed her anguish:

"The stone was so big, and the impact in that bathroom was devastating. I cried, not because they were slightly injured, but because God rescued them from the jaws of death," she said.

Signs of negligence are evident throughout the neighborhood. Construction debris is scattered across the estate, and residents complain of cement dust contaminating their homes and laundry.

Carolyne, a house owner in the estate, highlighted the challenges they face daily:

"We have to beg the construction workers to avoid building on our side when we’re doing laundry to avoid cement spillage. Stones are falling everywhere, and we have children playing around. It’s dangerous."

The situation escalated on Monday when detectives from Mlolongo Police Station and NCA officials visited the site to assess the risks posed by the building. Their findings were alarming, with evidence of hazardous materials dangling precariously and posing an imminent threat to neighboring homes.

Carolyne lamented the financial impact of the situation:

"This house is worth Ksh 13 million, but if I were to sell it now, I couldn’t recover that amount. The value has plummeted because of this construction. Imagine being a landlord and hearing that your tenant’s child was hit by falling debris—how do you even begin to cope?"

The incident has sparked outrage among residents, with Kim Musau, the chairman of the Muthama Heights Estate, demanding accountability:

"Three houses have been directly affected by this construction. The landlords and tenants need compensation, and the county government must explain if this project was approved and whether it meets safety standards."

Attempts to reach the developer for a response were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.

The National Construction Authority has since confirmed that the developer lacks the necessary approvals for the project. The site fails to meet basic safety requirements such as hoarding, netting, fencing, and signage. The authority hinted at possible corruption within the Machakos County government, which oversees such developments.

As residents navigate the aftermath of this ordeal, they are calling for justice and accountability from both the developer and the government. The incident has turned a spotlight on lax enforcement of construction regulations and the potential dangers posed by unchecked developments.

For families living near the construction, the fear of further accidents looms large, as they wait anxiously for government action.