Eastleigh Building Collapse: Murkomen Reveals Fate of 67 Workers, Reveals Number of People Missing

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has confirmed that all 67 workers who were at a building that collapsed in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area have been accounted for, even as rescue teams continue searching for seven people reported missing.

Speaking at the scene on Friday, October 23, 2026, Murkomen said 66 workers escaped without injuries, while another sustained injuries and was recovering in hospital.

“I am also informed that there were 67 workers on site, and all the 67 workers have been accounted for,” Murkomen said.

“66 escaped unhurt, and one of them, who was a bit injured, is in hospital and recuperating well,” he added.

Despite accounting for the workers, authorities were still trying to establish the whereabouts of seven other people following the collapse.

Murkomen said rescue teams drawn from the national government, Nairobi County and the Kenya Red Cross had established communication with some survivors believed to be trapped inside the rubble.

“The good news is that from the rescue team, which include national government, county government, and Red Cross, it is reported that they have made contact with some of the survivors who are still trapped inside,” he said.

“Every effort is being expended to make sure that they are rescued alive.”

The CS said the contact had raised hopes that those trapped could be rescued alive as emergency responders continued their operations.

Murkomen further disclosed that approximately 11 shops located on the basement and ground floors of the building were occupied when the incident occurred.

“I am also informed that the shops that were occupied were in the basement and the ground floor, and about 11 of those shops were occupied,” he said.

Authorities were working to determine whether the seven people reported missing had been inside the premises when the structure collapsed.

The CS urged residents who suspected their relatives or acquaintances were missing to contact authorities through the emergency number 1199 to assist with identification and rescue efforts.

Murkomen acknowledged growing public concern over the circumstances surrounding the incident, saying the government understood the need to establish what caused the building to collapse.

“Many Kenyans are concerned about what caused this incident,” he said.

The cause of the collapse had not been established at the time of the briefing.

Rescue teams continued working at the scene, with the immediate priority being to reach survivors believed to be trapped and establish the whereabouts of those still missing.

While all 67 workers had been accounted for, the status of the seven missing people remained unresolved as emergency operations continued.

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