Eastleigh Building Collapse: 7 People Missing as Rescue Teams Continue Search
Rescue teams are continuing to search through the rubble of a collapsed building in Eastleigh, Nairobi, after seven people were reported missing following the incident on Friday, October 23, 2026.
The collapse occurred along 9th Street in Eastleigh, a busy commercial area with shops and businesses. The incident has raised concerns about building safety and compliance with construction regulations in Nairobi.
What Happened in Eastleigh?
The building collapsed at around 1 p.m. on Friday, triggering an emergency response involving rescue personnel and other government agencies.
According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, 67 construction workers had been at the site. Officials said 66 escaped without injuries, while one person was injured and taken for medical treatment.
Authorities reported that seven people were still missing as rescue operations continued on Saturday.
The Kenya Red Cross separately reported receiving 31 missing-person reports. These reports were still being verified and should not be interpreted as 31 confirmed people trapped beneath the rubble.
Questions Emerge Over Construction Approval
The incident has raised questions about whether the building had received the necessary approvals before construction.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said county records showed that the proposed high-rise building had not received the required construction approval.
He explained that although the county had approved a change of use for the property in 2024, that approval did not mean the subsequent building plans had been authorised.
The National Construction Authority also identified the companies and professionals associated with the project in its records. However, the identification of those involved does not, by itself, establish responsibility for the collapse.
Investigations are expected to establish what caused the building to fall and whether any construction regulations were violated.
Investigations Underway
Police and relevant government agencies are investigating the incident. Authorities have indicated that anyone found culpable could face legal action.
The exact cause of the collapse had not been established at the time of reporting.
The incident has renewed concerns about the enforcement of building regulations, construction supervision and the safety of high-rise developments in Nairobi.
How Families Can Seek Information
Families searching for missing relatives have been encouraged to contact the Kenya Red Cross through its emergency number, 1199, and provide information to help responders verify missing-person reports.
Members of the public have also been urged to avoid the affected area so that emergency teams can continue their work safely.
The immediate priority remains locating anyone who may still be trapped, assisting affected families and determining what led to the collapse.
As rescue efforts continue, the incident is likely to intensify calls for stricter enforcement of construction standards and greater accountability in Nairobi’s building sector.
Source references:
- Citizen Digital
- The Eastleigh Voice
- KBC Digital
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