Nairobi Building Collapse: 7 People Reported Missing as Rescue Operations Continue
A building under construction collapsed in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area on Friday, October 23, 2026, triggering an emergency rescue operation and renewed concerns about construction safety in the capital.
The building was located along 9th Street near Yusuf Haji Avenue, an area known for its busy commercial activity.
Emergency teams from the national government, Nairobi County and the Kenya Red Cross were deployed to search for people who might have been trapped beneath the debris.
Seven People Reported Missing
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said on Friday night that seven people were reported missing following the collapse.
He confirmed that all 67 construction workers at the site had been accounted for. According to his briefing, 66 workers escaped without injuries, while one sustained injuries and was receiving medical attention.
Authorities were still working to establish the whereabouts of other people who may have been inside the building when it collapsed.
The Kenya Red Cross separately reported that two injured people had been taken to Kenyatta National Hospital and that 26 people who had earlier been reported missing had been traced and accounted for.
The figures reflect different updates from the response operation, and the overall situation remained under assessment in the latest reports available.
Rescue Teams Continue Searching
Rescue personnel used heavy machinery and other equipment to clear debris and reach areas where people were believed to be trapped.
Several emergency agencies participated in the operation, while a tracing desk was established to help families seeking information about missing relatives.
Anyone looking for information about a potentially missing person was urged to contact the Kenya Red Cross through its toll-free number, 1199.
Members of the public were also asked to keep away from the affected site to allow emergency teams to work safely.
Questions Raised Over Building Safety
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said the building had received construction approval but did not have an occupation certificate.
An occupation certificate is an important requirement before a building can be legally occupied. The presence of occupied shops in the collapsed structure raised questions about compliance with construction and safety requirements.
Police said investigations would be conducted to establish the circumstances surrounding the collapse and determine whether negligence or other offences were involved.
The cause of the collapse had not been established in the reports available at the time of publication.
What Happens Next?
Rescue teams were continuing their efforts to locate anyone still missing, while authorities worked to establish the full circumstances of the incident.
The incident has renewed calls for stronger enforcement of building regulations, proper professional supervision and compliance with safety requirements before buildings are occupied.
This article is based on reports available on October 23, 2026. The number of people missing and the rescue situation may change as authorities release further updates.
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