Geoffrey Mosiria Receives Hero’s Welcome at Eastleigh Building Scene as Residents Chant ‘Governor’

Former Nairobi County Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria received an enthusiastic reception from residents when he arrived at the scene of the Eastleigh building collapse on Friday, October 23, 2026, as emergency teams continued searching for people feared trapped beneath the rubble.

According to TUKO.co.ke, crowds gathered around Mosiria, shouting his name and clearing a path as he made his way through the busy scene. Some residents reportedly chanted “governor,” reflecting his growing political profile ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Videos circulating from the scene showed the former county official being lifted shoulder-high by members of the public before he was later carried on a boda boda through the crowd. His arrival attracted considerable attention as rescue workers struggled to access the collapsed structure.

The dramatic reception came just two days after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja removed Mosiria from his position as Chief Officer for Public Participation, Citizen Engagement and Customer Service in a county government reshuffle announced on Wednesday, October 21.

The county government had not publicly provided a specific reason for his removal, according to the report. Mosiria has since continued speaking out about Nairobi’s governance and has declared his intention to challenge Sakaja for the governor’s seat in the 2027 elections.

Mosiria Raises Questions Over Building Safety and Corruption

Beyond the reception he received, Mosiria used the incident to raise concerns about construction oversight, alleged corruption and the enforcement of building regulations in Nairobi.

He expressed sympathy for those feared trapped beneath the rubble and their families, calling for accountability and stronger measures to protect human life.

Mosiria also recalled his time working in the county’s Environment Department, alleging that he encountered resistance when attempting to stop what he described as illegal excavation and construction activities.

He claimed that two Environment Department officers were suspended after intervening in excavation activities in Roysambu and South C. He further alleged that a building later collapsed in South C, killing three people.

Mosiria said he had evidence relating to the incidents and was prepared to present it to the relevant authorities. However, these claims have not been independently verified.

The former chief officer also alleged that some developers faced demands running into millions of shillings to secure building approvals, with figures reportedly reaching KSh56 million and, in some cases involving foreign developers, KSh92 million or more.

He called for independent investigations into the allegations, insisting that building approvals should be based on professional assessments and safety standards rather than political influence. He also appealed to President William Ruto to support investigations into suspected corruption and strengthen enforcement of construction regulations.

Rescue Operations Continue After Eastleigh Building Collapse

The incident occurred on Friday afternoon along 9th Street in Eastleigh, Nairobi, when a multi-storey building under construction collapsed, raising fears that construction workers and other people could be trapped beneath the debris.

Emergency teams, including personnel from the Kenya Red Cross, Nairobi County Government and other agencies, were deployed to conduct search-and-rescue operations. Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja later confirmed that one person had been rescued, while authorities continued searching for others who might have been trapped.

The collapse also triggered renewed scrutiny of construction approvals and safety enforcement in Nairobi. Governor Johnson Sakaja said the building lacked an occupancy certificate and pledged legal action against its owner, while the cause of the collapse and the full number of people affected remained under investigation.

Mosiria’s appearance at the scene therefore came at a sensitive moment, combining an ongoing emergency with growing political attention following his removal from City Hall.

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