“No One Will Be Spared,” Police Boss Issa Hunts Owner of Collapsed Eastleigh Building

Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud has announced a manhunt for the owner of the 18-storey building that collapsed in Eastleigh, Nairobi, as rescue operations continue and investigations into the disaster intensify.

Speaking to journalists at the scene along 9th Street, Mohamud vowed that those found responsible would be held accountable, declaring that no one would be spared.

He said investigations would target the property owner and any city officials suspected of unlawfully approving construction that failed to meet the required standards.

Mohamud also raised concerns about the building’s occupancy, saying the basement and ground floors were being used by businesses and residents while construction continued on the upper floors.

Emergency teams have been working to locate and rescue people who may still be trapped beneath the rubble. According to reports from the scene, one person had been rescued alive, while concerns remained about the fate of others who could have been inside the building when it collapsed.

The disaster has also prompted reactions from political leaders and county officials.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja visited the scene and pointed to weaknesses in the enforcement of building regulations. He called for changes to the law that would give county governments more direct powers to prosecute developers who violate construction rules.

Former county official Geoffrey Mosiria also visited the scene, raising concerns about alleged corruption at City Hall and possible irregularities in the approval of buildings. He called for presidential intervention in addressing the issues surrounding the collapse.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Red Cross has established emergency support facilities at the scene as multi-agency rescue teams continue their work.

Heavy excavators and other equipment are being used to clear the debris, with rescuers working under floodlights in the effort to locate anyone who may remain trapped.

The collapse has renewed concerns about building safety, regulatory oversight and accountability in Nairobi’s construction sector.

Investigations are expected to establish the circumstances that led to the collapse and determine whether any individuals or institutions breached the law.