Several Feared Trapped As 18-Storey Building Under Construction Collapses In Nairobi's Eastleigh

NAIROBI: Several people are feared trapped after an 18-storey building under construction collapsed in the busy, densely populated Eastleigh neighbourhood of Kenya's capital, Nairobi, on Friday afternoon.

The building came crashing down at around 1pm along 9th Street, on Yusuf Haji Avenue next to Day to Day Supermarket. Videos circulating online showed the structure crumbling to the ground in seconds, sending huge clouds of dust into the air. Eyewitnesses said the building folded almost vertically onto itself in a pancake-type collapse, with more than a dozen floors stacking on top of each other.

 The structure, which had basement parking, was reduced to a heap of rubble. An adjacent building also suffered damage, with sections of its walls caving in.

 At least one woman was rescued while several people were feared trapped after the collapse, triggering a major search and rescue operation. Police said rescuers could hear the voice of another person trapped beneath the debris, but the number of people trapped and the full extent of casualties were not immediately known.

The incident occurred during Friday prayers, a major weekly religious gathering in the predominantly Muslim area. A local resident said many workers were at the mosque at the time, which may have limited casualties.

Rescue Underway Amid Chaos:

 Emergency responders, including police officers, military personnel, Kenya Red Cross teams and Nairobi City County emergency crews, rushed to the scene. Heavy machinery was deployed to remove debris and create access routes to areas where survivors could be trapped.

The large number of onlookers complicated access for ambulances and rescue vehicles. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds gathered near the scene to prevent looting and allow emergency teams to work.

 Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said the building did not have an occupation certificate, which confirms a building is legally fit for occupation and meets safety requirements. "Our concern is to save lives," Sakaja told reporters.

Cause Unknown, Probe Ordered:

 Nairobi police boss Issa Mohamed said the cause of the collapse had not been established and that a multi-agency team would investigate. The team comprises the National Police Service, National Construction Authority (NCA), National Building Inspectorate, Engineers Board of Kenya, and Nairobi City County Government, among others.

John Ogallo, vice president of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, said there had reportedly been warning signs before the collapse, including cracks. Experts raised concerns about construction standards, unsuitable materials, and lack of professional oversight in Eastleigh, where rapid high-rise development has continued despite safety concerns.

 Between 2009 and 2019, Kenya recorded 86 building collapses that killed an estimated 200 people, according to a report by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis.