Eastleigh building collapse: Search for missing people enters day two

The scene of the collapsed building in Eastleigh. The building collapsed on October 23, 2026. Search for missing people enters day twoThe search for missing people following the collapse of a multi-storey building under construction in Eastleigh, Nairobi, entered its second day on Saturday, with rescue teams continuing to clear debris in an effort to locate those feared trapped beneath the rubble.

Kenya Red Cross said on Friday night that two injured people had been taken to Kenyatta National Hospital.

Government officials said at least seven people had been reported missing after the building collapsed along 9th Street on Friday afternoon.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, however, said all 67 construction workers who were at the site when the building collapsed had been accounted for.

Of the workers, 66 escaped uninjured, while one sustained injuries and was receiving treatment in hospital. His condition was reported to be stable.

Murkomen, who visited the scene on Friday evening alongside Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, said rescue operations were ongoing, with emergency teams working to locate and rescue anyone who might have been trapped under the debris.

“Seven people have been reported missing. The rescue team has made contact with some of them, and efforts are underway to rescue those trapped in the rubble,” he said.

The CS added that 11 shops on the building’s ground floor and basement were occupied at the time of the collapse, raising concerns that traders, customers or other occupants could have been caught in the incident.

On Saturday, Nairobi regional police commander Issa Mohamud said rescue teams remained at the scene, concentrating on clearing the rubble and reaching the lower floors.

“We hope they reach the ground floors soon,” he said.

A multi-agency team comprising the Kenya Defence Forces, National Police Service, Nairobi City County Government, National Youth Service, Kenya Red Cross and other government agencies was coordinating the search and rescue operation.

The government urged families whose relatives were missing to contact the Kenya Red Cross through its emergency response number, 1199, to help establish their whereabouts and support coordination efforts.

Murkomen said the government was providing rescue teams with the necessary support to accelerate the operation. Arrangements were also being made to assist affected individuals and families, including through psychosocial support.

He said the circumstances surrounding the collapse would be thoroughly investigated by relevant national and county government agencies in collaboration with professional bodies.

The CS said anyone found culpable would be held accountable.