In brief
A 16‑story block under construction in Nairobi’s Eastleigh district collapsed Friday afternoon, leaving seven people feared trapped under rubble. The collapse, which saw the bottom floor give way before the rest of the tower, prompted a search and rescue operation involving metal saws and manual excavation as heavy machinery was deemed risky for air supply. Most of the 67 construction workers escaped unharmed, but the incident has reignited concerns over Kenya’s construction standards and the lack of proper permits for buildings set for occupancy. Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson and the National Construction Authority have urged stricter enforcement of approved plans and safety regulations.
Search and rescue teams are working to locate seven people who are feared trapped under rubble after a building collapse in Nairobi.
A 16‑ or 18‑storey block, under construction in the Eastleigh area, gave way before the rest of the building crumbled, releasing a plume of dust into surrounding streets.
Dozens of builders on higher floors were able to emerge largely unscathed, while the missing individuals were believed to have been in shops at the building’s base, many of which had already opened.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about construction standards and regulations in Kenya. Scaffolding was still wrapped around the exterior when the collapse occurred, and 11 shops had opened on the ground floor.
Interior Ministry official Kipchumba Murkomen said 66 of the 67 workers had escaped unharmed, with the other suffering a non‑life‑threatening injury.
Rescue workers saw through metal to reach those believed to be stuck beneath the falling concrete, and heavy diggers were halted over fears they could restrict air supply.
Questions have arisen about why the tower could suddenly collapse and whether it met planning regulations. Kenya’s National Construction Authority has identified the developer, architect, and structural engineer but has not confirmed whether the site was inspected prior to collapse.
Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson told local media that the owners lacked the required paperwork for the building to be occupied, urging the national government to grant local authorities greater powers to penalise developers who disregard approved plans and safety standards.
Building collapses are not uncommon in Nairobi, where poor construction or improper planning is often cited as a contributing factor.
