Several Feared Trapped as 18-Storey Building Collapses in Nairobi’s Eastleigh

Several Feared Trapped as 18-Storey Building Collapses in Nairobi’s Eastleigh

Several people are feared trapped after an 18-storey building under construction collapsed along 9th Street in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area on Friday afternoon, October 23.

The incident occurred along Yusuf Haji Avenue, near Day to Day Supermarket, sending residents, traders and passersby into a state of alarm as emergency response efforts began.

The building was reportedly still under construction, with shops and rental units operating on its lower floors. This raised concerns that workers, tenants, traders or customers could have been inside when the structure came down.

The number of people trapped, casualties and injuries had not been confirmed by the time of publication as emergency teams worked to establish the full extent of the incident.

Kenya Red Cross responds to Eastleigh building collapse

The Kenya Red Cross confirmed the incident and announced that its response teams were heading to the scene.

“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 confirmed.

The response teams were expected to support emergency operations as authorities assessed the situation and sought to establish whether anyone remained trapped beneath the debris.

The collapse disrupted activity along the busy commercial street, with businesses and pedestrians caught up in the unfolding emergency.

Eyewitness accounts indicated that the building had reached its 18th floor before collapsing. However, the precise circumstances that led to the structural failure had not been established.

It was also unclear whether the building had received the necessary construction approvals or complied with the applicable safety regulations.

Crowds gather as traffic is disrupted

The collapse attracted large crowds, with residents and traders gathering around the site to observe the rescue operation.

Images and videos circulating online showed people assembling along 9th Street as information about the incident spread through the neighbourhood.

The growing crowd reportedly made access difficult for emergency responders, raising concerns about the ability of rescue teams to reach the affected structure and coordinate their work efficiently.

Police officers were later seen dispersing onlookers, with tear gas reportedly used to clear parts of the area and create room for emergency operations.

The incident also caused significant traffic congestion on roads leading into and out of Eastleigh, one of Nairobi’s busiest commercial centres.

Motorists and public transport operators experienced delays as traffic movement was affected by the emergency response and the large number of people converging on the scene.

Multi-agency team deployed

A multi-agency security team comprising personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces, Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, regular police, the Bomb Disposal Unit and other specialised response teams arrived at the scene to support coordination efforts.

The deployment came as authorities worked to secure the affected area and facilitate access for emergency personnel.

The timing of the incident also coincided with Friday prayers, an important weekly religious observance for Eastleigh’s predominantly Muslim community. The surrounding activity added to the challenges of managing crowds and movement in the area.

Videos shared on social media showed residents calling on Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to ensure emergency services were deployed to assist those potentially affected.

Questions raised over building safety

The collapse is likely to renew scrutiny of construction safety, building approvals and enforcement of regulations in Nairobi, particularly in densely populated commercial neighbourhoods where buildings may accommodate businesses while construction continues.

At the time of publication, the Nairobi County Government, National Police Service, National Disaster Management Unit and National Construction Authority had yet to issue official statements clarifying the cause of the collapse or the building’s compliance status.

Authorities were also yet to confirm the number of people who may have been inside the structure.

The immediate priority remained establishing whether anyone was trapped, accounting for those who may have been in the building and determining the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

Further details were expected as emergency teams continued their response and authorities assessed the scene.

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Several Feared Trapped as 18-Storey Building Collapses in Nairobi’s Eastleigh