7 Nairobi Traders Confirmed Missing Hours After Eastleigh Building Collapsed

Fresh information has surfaced following the collapse of a building in Eastleigh, Nairobi, with seven people believed to have been running businesses inside the premises reported missing.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen disclosed that the seven could not be traced after the building came down on Friday afternoon, October 23, 2026, along 9th Street in Eastleigh, within Kamukunji Sub County.In a statement issued later that night, Murkomen said 67 construction workers were present at the site when the structure fell.

He confirmed that 66 workers got out unhurt, while one suffered injuries and was rushed to hospital. The injured worker was said to be in stable condition.

Nevertheless, seven other people thought to have been carrying out business inside the building remained missing, stoking fears that they could be buried under the rubble.Murkomen noted that the building housed 11 shops on the ground floor, while the basement was also in use at the time of the incident.

He added that rescuers had made contact with some of the missing individuals and were working to reach those who might still be stuck beneath the debris.

The collapse has stirred concerns over the building’s safety, especially following reports that it had no occupation certificate, a document required before a building can be used.

Earlier, the Kenya Red Cross reported that two injured persons had been ferried to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment as the rescue effort went on.

The organisation also announced that 26 people previously reported missing had been located. However, it did not clarify whether they were among the seven people Murkomen referred to.

Multiple agencies, among them the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, Nairobi City County Government, National Youth Service and Kenya Red Cross, are taking part in the rescue mission.Meanwhile, the National Construction Authority verified that the building was registered on July 30, 2025, and said probes were ongoing to determine what caused the collapse.

Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud also hinted that police were working to establish who owns the building.

Murkomen said anyone found culpable for the tragedy would be held to account once investigations conclude.

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