A 14-storey building in Nairobi’s Eastleigh district collapsed during Friday prayers, trapping several people and triggering an urgent search for survivors. The incident occurred on Friday, according to reports. Emergency services were deployed to the scene, with rescue teams working through debris to locate those possibly trapped.
The building, under construction, collapsed along 8th Street, as reported by former Nairobi County Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service Geoffrey Mosiria. He called for immediate action, urging emergency agencies to deploy rescue personnel, ambulances, and structural engineers. Mosiria also demanded transparency and accountability, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.
Authorities confirmed the building lacked an occupation certificate, though the ground floor was in use. Nairobi Governor Joe Sakaja called for counties to regain prosecutorial powers to enforce construction regulations more strictly. This follows growing concerns over unsafe building practices in the area.
The collapse has raised questions about safety standards and oversight in Nairobi’s construction sector. Multiple witnesses described the moment of the collapse, with some recalling hearing a loud noise before the building fell in two minutes. Rescue operations faced challenges due to blocked roads and large crowds.
The incident highlights ongoing issues with regulatory enforcement and building safety in Eastleigh, a densely populated area of Nairobi. Calls for stricter oversight and legal action continue as authorities work to determine the full extent of the damage and the number of people affected.
