Several Feared Trapped as 13-Storey Building Collapses in Nairobi’s Eastleigh
Several people are feared trapped after a 13-storey building under construction collapsed along Yusuf Haji Avenue in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area on Friday, October 23, 2026.
The incident occurred along 9th Street, next to Day to Day Supermarket, triggering panic as residents, traders and passersby gathered near the scene.
According to reports from the area, the building had reached its 13th floor before collapsing. Shops and rental units were reportedly operating on the lower floors despite the ongoing construction work.
The circumstances surrounding the collapse remained unclear, with authorities yet to confirm the number of people who may have been inside the building when it came down.
The Kenya Red Cross confirmed the incident, announcing that its emergency response teams were heading to the scene to assist with rescue operations.
“A building has collapsed along Yusuf Haji Avenue, next to Day to Day Supermarket on 9th Street, Eastleigh. Kenya Red Cross response teams are en route to the scene,” the organisation stated.
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As the situation unfolded, concerns mounted over the possibility of construction workers, traders and residents being trapped beneath the rubble.
However, the number of casualties, injuries and missing persons had not been officially established by the time of publication.
Multi-Agency Rescue Operation Underway
A multi-agency security team later arrived at the scene to coordinate the emergency response and support rescue efforts.
The team reportedly included personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces, regular police, the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, the Bomb Disposal Unit and other specialised response teams.
Police officers also lobbed tear gas to disperse hundreds of onlookers who had gathered around the collapsed building.
The large crowd reportedly complicated access to the site, making it difficult for emergency vehicles and rescue personnel to move freely and coordinate their operations.
The incident also caused significant traffic congestion on roads leading into and out of Eastleigh, one of Nairobi’s busiest commercial neighbourhoods.
Residents shared videos and livestreams on social media, appealing to Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to ensure emergency services reached the scene promptly.
Friday prayers also presented an additional challenge as the predominantly Muslim neighbourhood observed its weekly religious gathering.
Building Safety Concerns Emerge
The collapse is expected to raise renewed questions about building safety, construction standards and regulatory enforcement in Nairobi.
The Nairobi County Government, National Police Service, National Disaster Management Unit and National Construction Authority had not issued official statements clarifying the circumstances surrounding the incident.
It also remained unclear whether the building had obtained the necessary approvals and complied with applicable construction regulations.
Authorities are expected to establish what caused the structure to collapse and determine whether any safety violations contributed to the incident.
Meanwhile, rescue efforts remained the immediate priority as emergency teams worked to assess the rubble and establish whether anyone was trapped.
Further details, including confirmed casualties and the cause of the collapse, were awaited as the situation continued to develop.
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