Nairobi building collapse in Eastleigh leaves victims trapped under rubble

Emergency teams in Nairobi are searching through rubble after a high-rise building under construction collapsed in the Eastleigh neighbourhood on Friday afternoon, leaving multiple people feared trapped.

Rescuers managed to pull an injured man and woman from the wreckage and transfer them to a hospital, according to Kenyan newspaper The Standard. Heavy machinery, including excavators and concrete breakers, was deployed to 9th Street to clear massive slabs of debris as cries for help could be heard from beneath the ruins.

The incident occurred shortly after 1:00 p.m. following afternoon prayers. Witnesses reported trying to reach people inside by mobile phone, with at least one trapped worker answering calls for nearly two hours before the connection went silent. While initial reports gave varying heights for the structure between 15 and 18 storeys, officials estimated it stood at around 16 floors.

Although still undergoing construction on its upper levels, the building had already opened its lower floors to commercial activity. The property lacked the necessary regulatory clearance for public occupation, raising immediate questions about safety compliance. The disaster brought normal trade to a halt in what is typically one of the city's busiest commercial districts on a Friday, while police cordoned off the area and controlled crowds.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja visited the site to oversee the response, stating that the primary focus remained on finding survivors. He noted that certain developers contract certified experts solely to gain building permits, only to discard the plans and dismiss the professionals once work begins. Sakaja called on regulatory and professional bodies to tighten supervision and penalise those who ignore safety protocols.

Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud warned that authorities would conduct a thorough investigation to identify anyone culpable of criminal negligence, including the property owners and any officials who authorised the works. Mohamud said formal charges would follow if neglect caused loss of life.