Seven Missing After Eastleigh Building Collapse

Aftermath of the Eastleigh Building Collapse in Nairobi

Seven people remain unaccounted for after a multi-storey building under construction collapsed in Nairobi's Eastleigh area on Friday afternoon. Rescue teams continued searching the debris as authorities worked to establish whether the missing individuals were trapped inside.

The building came down along 9th Street in Kamukunji Sub-County, triggering an emergency response involving several government agencies. The collapse caused confusion at the scene as rescuers began searching for survivors.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said 67 construction workers were at the site when the building collapsed. He reported that 66 workers escaped without injuries, while another sustained injuries and was receiving treatment in stable condition.

However, seven people believed to have been operating inside the building were reported missing. Murkomen said rescue teams had contacted some of them, with efforts continuing to reach those potentially trapped beneath the rubble.

Rescue Teams Search Rubble for Missing People

The Kenya Red Cross earlier reported that two injured people had been taken to Kenyatta National Hospital as rescue operations continued. The organisation also announced that 26 people previously reported missing had been traced and accounted for.

It remained unclear whether the Red Cross update involving the 26 people covered those mentioned in Murkomen's statement. Authorities had not provided a detailed reconciliation of the different missing-person figures in the available reports.

The emergency response brought together the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, Nairobi City County Government and National Youth Service. The Kenya Red Cross and other agencies also joined the coordinated search and rescue operation.

The National Construction Authority (NCA) said authorities had secured the site to allow rescue workers to operate safely. A multi-agency team was also conducting preliminary investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

Building Reportedly Lacked Occupation Certificate

Murkomen said the building had 11 shops on the ground floor, while its basement was occupied when the structure collapsed. He also stated that the building did not have an occupation certificate.

The certificate is an important document in the process of confirming that a completed building can be occupied. The reported absence of one has raised questions about the circumstances under which the premises were being used.

The NCA confirmed that the building was registered with the authority on July 30, 2025. It also said it had identified the developer and contractor associated with the project.

However, the registration information alone does not establish whether the building complied with every construction requirement. Investigators are expected to examine the relevant approvals and determine whether any breaches contributed to the collapse.

Police Search for Building Owner

Nairobi police boss Issa Mohamud previously said officers were searching for the building's owner. Information available in the report did not establish whether police had located the individual by publication time.

Authorities have yet to announce what caused the structure to collapse. Investigators are expected to examine the building's construction, approvals and other relevant circumstances before reaching conclusions.

Murkomen said the investigation would involve national and county government agencies alongside relevant professional bodies. He added that anyone found responsible would be held accountable.

For now, rescue efforts remain focused on locating the missing people and establishing whether anyone else survived beneath the debris. The investigation will also seek to determine how the building collapsed and whether safety requirements were breached.