CS Murkomen Vows Action as 7 Remain Missing After Eastleigh Building Collapse

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has pledged continued government intervention following the collapse of a building in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area, as rescuers race against time to locate people feared trapped beneath the debris.

Speaking at the scene on Friday, October 23, 2026, Murkomen confirmed that all 67 workers who had been at the construction site had been accounted for. Of these, 66 escaped without injuries, while one was taken to hospital and was recovering.

However, uncertainty continued to surround the whereabouts of other people who may have been inside the building when it came crashing down.

Murkomen said emergency teams drawn from the national government, Nairobi County and the Kenya Red Cross had established communication with some survivors believed to be trapped beneath the rubble, raising hopes of a successful rescue operation.

He assured Kenyans that rescuers were doing everything possible to reach those still trapped alive, while efforts continued to establish the full number of people affected by the incident.

The Cabinet Secretary also disclosed that approximately 11 shops located on the basement and ground floors had been occupied when the building collapsed, increasing concerns about traders, employees and customers who might have been inside.

Authorities were working to establish the whereabouts of those reported missing, with officials urging residents to provide information that could assist the rescue teams.

Murkomen appealed to anyone whose relative or acquaintance was suspected to have been inside the building to contact emergency responders through the 1199 hotline.

Meanwhile, questions surrounding the circumstances that led to the disaster remained unanswered, with the government acknowledging public concerns over construction safety and compliance with building regulations.

For now, rescuers remain focused on locating the missing individuals and reaching anyone trapped beneath the wreckage as authorities work to establish the cause of the collapse.

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