Two Rescued After Nairobi Building Collapse With Five Still Missing

A Nairobi building collapse on Friday has left emergency services searching for five missing people as rescue operations continue in Kenya’s capital. According to the BBC, two individuals have been pulled alive from the rubble and taken to hospital following the disaster in the city’s Eastleigh area.

Police announced on Saturday that a manhunt has been launched for the building’s owner and the contractor responsible for the construction site. The multi-storey block, estimated to be between 16 and 18 storeys tall, crumbled on Friday afternoon. Dramatic video footage captured the bottom floor giving way before the entire structure collapsed, sending thick plumes of dust billowing into nearby streets.

Details of the Nairobi Building Collapse

Officials reported that dozens of construction workers were on the upper floors when the incident occurred, but the vast majority managed to escape unharmed. Interior ministry official Kipchumba Murkomen stated that 66 of the 67 workers on-site got out safely, while one sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The five individuals still missing are believed to have been inside shops located at the base of the structure.

Scaffolding remained wrapped around the exterior of the tower when it fell. Officials confirmed that 11 retail shops had already opened on the lower levels. Images from the site show concrete floors stacked on top of one another as rescue teams use metal saws to cut through debris and reach those potentially trapped underneath.

Investigation and Safety Concerns

The incident has intensified scrutiny regarding construction standards, regulatory oversight, and enforcement in Kenya. Kenya’s National Construction Authority stated it has identified the development company, architect, and structural engineer linked to the project, though it did not immediately clarify whether the site received prior safety inspections.

The National Police Service initiated a criminal investigation to determine the exact cause of the disaster and establish liability. Authorities warned that anyone found guilty of negligence or violations of building regulations will face prosecution. Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson informed local media that the property owners lacked the necessary occupancy paperwork and called for regional authorities to receive expanded enforcement powers against developers who bypass approved safety standards and building plans.

Source: Two rescued after Nairobi building collapse with five still missing (source-feed timestamp 2026-10-24T17:25:46+00:00). AI-assisted report based on the cited linked article and its RSS feed; details were not independently verified.