Nairobi Building Collapse Leaves Three Young Children Without Their Father
Nairobi, 29 January 2026
Ali Adan Galgallo, a 30-year-old night security guard and sole breadwinner, perished when a 16-storey building collapsed in South C in early January 2026. His devastating death has left three daughters aged just 5, 4, and 2 years old dependent on their elderly grandfather for survival. The family in Imara Daima reports receiving no official support or communication since the tragedy, with only community well-wishers offering assistance. Government officials have promised stern action against those responsible, whilst investigations continue into the construction materials and approval processes. The incident underscores the precarious economic reality facing many Nairobi families who rely on dangerous construction work for their livelihoods, where a single workplace accident can plunge entire households into destitution.
A Family’s Desperate Plea for Justice
The grief-stricken family has made urgent appeals for both justice and practical support following the tragedy that struck in early January 2026 [1]. Edin Bagajo Sharamo, Ali Adan’s father, has taken on the responsibility of caring for his three granddaughters whilst demanding accountability for his son’s death [1]. “I’m only demanding justice for my son and his children. Now I’m the one who is taking them to school and providing for them,” Sharamo explained during a family interview conducted on Wednesday, 28 January 2026 [1]. The elderly grandfather emphasised that any assistance received would be directed entirely towards the children’s welfare, stating that religious principles prevent the family from using resources belonging to the deceased’s immediate family [1].
Official Silence Compounds Family’s Anguish
Hawa Hassan, Ali Adan’s mother, has expressed profound frustration over the apparent lack of official communication or support since her son’s death [1]. “This family has not been visited or received any feedback since the death of my son. The only help that we saw was during the search of the body,” Hassan revealed during the family interview [1]. The family reports that apart from a team from Lang’ata who brought some assistance, no government officials or representatives from the construction company have contacted them [1]. This silence has left the bereaved family feeling abandoned whilst grappling with both emotional trauma and the practical challenge of supporting three young children without their primary breadwinner [1].
The Economic Reality of Construction Work Risks
Hassan Bule Huka, the deceased’s uncle, highlighted the harsh economic realities that drive families like theirs into dangerous employment [1]. “He was his family’s only breadwinner. This is where he used to sleep during the day since he would work every night,” Huka explained, describing how Ali Adan’s night security duties at the construction site provided the family’s sole income [1]. The uncle characterised the death as “a big shock” to the extended family, underscoring how sudden workplace accidents can devastate entire family networks [1]. This economic dependency on hazardous construction work reflects broader patterns across Nairobi’s informal settlements, where limited employment opportunities force workers into potentially dangerous roles [GPT].
Government Promises Action as Investigation Continues
Following the collapse, senior government officials have pledged to pursue accountability for the tragedy [1]. Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku have both stated that stern action would be taken against those found culpable for the building collapse [1]. The developer and county officials involved in the project have already recorded statements at the Lang’ata DCI office as part of the ongoing investigation [1]. Additionally, the National Construction Authority is expected to issue a comprehensive report examining the materials used in the building’s construction, though the timeline for this report remains unclear [1]. Brian Omondi Midiwo, Lang’ata ODM youth leader, has joined calls for arrests of individuals involved in approving the collapsed building, arguing that proper oversight could have prevented the tragedy [1].