REVEALED: The Exact Number of People Currently Missing After the Eastleigh Building Collapsed

Details have emerged about the exact number of people who are currently missing after the Eastleigh building collapsed several hours ago, as emergency teams continue combing through the debris in search of survivors.

According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, seven people were reported missing after the multi-storey building under construction came crashing down in Eastleigh, Nairobi, on Friday afternoon, October 23, 2026.In a statement released later that night, Murkomen disclosed that 67 construction workers were present at the site when the structure collapsed along 9th Street in Eastleigh, within Kamukunji Sub-County.

The Cabinet Secretary confirmed that 66 workers managed to escape unharmed, while another suffered injuries and was rushed to hospital. The injured worker was reported to be in stable condition.

However, seven other people believed to have been inside the building or operating businesses within the premises were reported missing. Rescue teams have continued searching the wreckage to determine whether they remain trapped beneath the debris.

Murkomen explained that emergency responders had established contact with some of the missing individuals and were making efforts to reach those who might still be buried under the collapsed structure.

The building reportedly contained 11 shops on the ground floor, while the basement was also occupied when the incident occurred. The tragedy has sparked concerns about construction safety, particularly following reports that the building lacked an occupation certificate, which is required before a property can be legally occupied.

Earlier, the Kenya Red Cross announced that two injured people had been rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital for medical attention as search and rescue operations continued.The organisation also reported that 26 people who had earlier been listed as missing had been located and accounted for. However, it did not clarify whether the individuals were among the seven people identified in Murkomen’s update.

Emergency responders from several agencies, including the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, Nairobi City County Government, National Youth Service and Kenya Red Cross, have joined efforts to manage the rescue operation.

Meanwhile, the National Construction Authority confirmed that the building was registered on July 30, 2025, and said investigations into the incident were ongoing.

Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud also indicated that police were investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse and seeking to establish the building owner’s identity.

Murkomen said relevant government agencies and construction professionals would investigate the cause of the tragedy, adding that anyone found responsible would be held accountable.

Authorities are continuing their investigations as rescue teams work to establish the fate of the missing individuals and determine what caused the building to collapse.

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