Multistory Building Collapses in Nairobi, Search for Survivors Underway
Source reports published 23 Oct 2026, 10:00 am – 24 Oct 2026, 6:31 am AEST
A multistorey building under construction collapsed in Nairobi’s Eastleigh district, leaving several people missing and triggering looting. Rescue efforts are ongoing with teams working to clear the rubble and account for those trapped.
What happened
- A multistorey building, under construction, collapsed on Friday at approximately 1pm local time in Eastleigh, Nairobi.
- The building, reportedly having more than 10 floors under construction, was located on a busy commercial street.
- Nairobi police chief Issa Mohamud stated that 66 workers escaped unharmed, while one was injured.
- The basement and ground floor were occupied by an electronics shop, a butchery, and a grocery, with approximately 11 people unaccounted for.
- Governor Johnson Sakaja confirmed that the building had been approved for construction but lacked a certificate of occupation, leading to illegal ground-floor occupancy.
- Rescue teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, were on the scene, using trees stripped for poles and excavators to remove concrete.
- Local resident Abdi Aziz reported that many workers were at prayer during the collapse.
- Police responded to looting by firing tear gas at crowds.
- The National Construction Authority reported the project was registered in 2025.
- Concerns were raised about a potential second collapse due to the building’s leaning position.
- The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis reported 86 building collapses between 2009 and 2019, resulting in approximately 200 deaths, highlighting a recurring problem in Nairobi’s construction sector.
Original reporting
- Al Jazeera: Several people missing after multistorey building collapses in Kenya
2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00 - Deutsche Welle: story building collapses in Nairobi
2026-10-23T14:09:59.780000+00:00 - France 24 English: Building collapse in Nairobi search for survivors under way
2026-10-23T20:31:50+00:00