Multi-Storey Building Under Construction Collapses In Nairobi, Several Feared Trapped

NAIROBI, KENYA: A multi-storey building under construction collapsed in Nairobi's Eastleigh area on Friday afternoon, triggering a major rescue operation amid fears that several people remain trapped beneath the debris. The incident occurred along Yusuf Haji Avenue, a busy commercial street, at approximately 1 p.m. local time.

Eastleigh is a densely populated residential and market hub, particularly known for its Somali community. The collapse happened during Friday congregational prayers, meaning the area was heavily crowded with thousands of traders and residents. The structure, located adjacent to the Day to Day Supermarket on 9th Street, was reduced to stacked concrete slabs, with thick clouds of dust engulfing the street.

The exact height of the building remains disputed among officials and eyewitnesses. Nairobi Police Chief Issa Mohamud stated the structure had more than 10 upper floors under construction, while other accounts, including those cited by the New Zealand Herald, estimated it to be up to 18 storeys high. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja confirmed that the building lacked an occupation certificate, stating, "This building has no occupation certificate ... this has potentially cost lives".

Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen stated that 11 shops on the ground floor and basement were occupied at the time, and seven people have been reported missing. Police confirmed they had rescued one woman and could hear the voice of another trapped individual. Residents reported that some trapped loved ones made phone calls for help immediately after the collapse, but the lines later became unreachable.

The rescue effort was severely hampered by dense crowds and subsequent looting. Police were forced to fire tear gas to disperse onlookers and prevent theft from neighbouring shops after ambulances were reportedly pelted with stones. The incident has renewed scrutiny over Nairobi’s rapid construction boom and regulatory oversight. John Ogallo, vice-president of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, noted that warning signs such as cracks were observed prior to the collapse.

Bibiye Mahmoud, president of the Institution of Engineering Technology of Kenya, highlighted a systemic lack of accountability. "The contractors and the engineers are supposed to ensure that the works are followed by professionals. But most are not," she told reporters.

Building collapses are a recurring issue in the Kenyan capital. A report by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis noted 86 building collapses in Nairobi between 2009 and 2019, resulting in an estimated 200 fatalities. Furthermore, a recent audit by the National Building Inspectorate found that 87 per cent of buildings audited nationwide failed to meet safety standards or lacked required approvals. Authorities have promised a thorough investigation into Friday's collapse.