- Sniffer dogs and excavators were deployed as rescue teams worked through Friday night at the Eastleigh collapse site
- Governor Sakaja revealed the multi-storey building had county approval but no occupation certificate despite shops operating inside
- Police have opened a criminal negligence investigation into what brought the structure down
Rescue teams were still working through the rubble of a collapsed building in Eastleigh on Friday night, racing to reach people believed to be trapped inside after the structure came down at around 1pm on 9th Street.
Source: Twitter
The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that two people had been taken to Kenyatta National Hospital with injuries, and that 26 of those initially reported missing had since been located and accounted for.
"Search and rescue operations are ongoing at the site of the building collapse in Eastleigh," the organisation said in a statement.
"Our teams remain on site with multi-agency partners. A tracing desk at the site is open for families looking for loved ones. For support, call our toll-free line 1199."
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
Inside Rescue Operations
The building, reported to stand between 12 and 18 storeys, was still under construction at the time of the collapse, though its ground floor had already been occupied by shops.
Sniffer dogs and excavators were brought in as the operation stretched into the evening. At one stage, debris clearance was halted after people trapped inside reportedly warned that the work was cutting off their air supply.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, who visited the scene, said rescuers had heard voices from within the rubble and were creating openings to improve ventilation.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen also attended the site later in the day.
Was Eastleight Building Developer Certified?
Sakaja said the building had received county approval but did not hold an occupation certificate, yet commercial activity was already taking place on the ground floor.
He raised alarm over a pattern in which developers dismiss their architects, engineers and quantity surveyors once permits are obtained, leaving construction to proceed without professional oversight.
Calling existing penalties a "slap on the wrist," he urged tougher consequences and pushed for county governments to be given back prosecutorial powers to act on such violations.
The National Construction Authority (NCA) said the project was registered on 30 July 2025 under Land Reference Number 36/II/40, 9th Street, Eastleigh.
Who Is Owner of Eastleigh Building?
It identified the developer as 9th Street Plaza Limited and the contractor as Stromax Holdings E.A Limited.
The listed architect is Emmanuel Mwangi Maina and the structural engineer is Joseph Muturi Mugu.
The NCA did not attribute fault to any of the parties named. Acting Executive Director Susan Rutto said further details on the rescue and site status would be released in due course, and urged members of the public to stay away from the cordoned-off area.
Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud confirmed that investigators were examining whether criminal negligence played a role in the collapse, adding that charges would follow if evidence supported that conclusion.
Authorities have not confirmed the total number of people who were in or near the building at the time, whether any fatalities have occurred, or what triggered the collapse.
Families searching for missing relatives can visit the Red Cross tracing desk at the site or call the toll-free number 1199.
Source: TUKO.co.ke