Residents of Kenya’s Karibu Homes ordered to vacate unsafe blocks — Nation Kenya
In Kenya, residents of the Karibu Homes residential complex in Athi River, Machakos County, have been ordered to vacate blocks M, N and P, which were deemed unfit for habitation. On August 27, 2026, county authorities issued a 14-day notice requiring them to leave, warning of possible forced eviction, Nation Kenya reports.
At least 45 apartment owners in the complex have encountered cracks, as well as signs of subsidence and displacement of the buildings. Karibu Homes, also known as River View Estate, is located on Kinanie Road on the outskirts of Athi River. The complex has 500 one- and two-bedroom apartments in 63 blocks.
The outlet’s journalists documented visible cracks in three blocks. According to their observations, block D, which has 15 two-bedroom apartments, sustained the most damage: cracks run along the walls and expansion joints, while parts of the roof show signs of sagging. At least 12 apartment owners in this block have already moved out.
Inspection findings
In April 2026, the buildings were inspected by an interagency team involving the National Construction Authority, the National Building Inspectorate, the National Youth Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. A report dated August 31 states that the foundations of blocks M, N and P were built on unstable soil.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
The team also pointed to insufficient rainwater drainage due to a lack of drainage channels. According to its findings, the quality of construction work was reduced, and tests showed insufficient concrete strength. The inspectors recommended checking the structural integrity of the entire complex and reinforcing the damaged blocks under the supervision of qualified specialists.
Position of owners and developer
Some residents continue to live in their apartments because they cannot pay both their mortgage and rent for other housing at the same time. Apartment owner Kenneth Chokera said he bought a two-bedroom home in 2017 under a 20-year mortgage program with a monthly payment of 22,000 Kenyan shillings. According to him, cracks in the apartment began to appear in 2024 and have widened since then.
Karibu Homes Parktel Limited, the developer, disputed the inspection findings through the law firm Ogola & Mureja Advocates. The company said its consultants inspected the problematic areas in April and concluded that the cracks were linked to improper maintenance of the drainage system and were not structural. The developer also said that after apartment sales were completed, responsibility for maintaining the complex passed to the owners and management structures established by residents.
