Scores Trapped After Building Collapses in Highrise Estate, Nairobi

Scores Trapped After Building Collapses in Highrise Estate, Nairobi

At least three people have been confirmed dead and several others remain unaccounted for after a building collapsed in the Highrise area of Kibera in Nairobi on Wednesday afternoon, in yet another incident that has raised fresh concerns over construction safety standards in the capital.

The collapse occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m., with emergency response teams rushing to the scene shortly after reports emerged of individuals trapped beneath the rubble. The Kenya Red Cross Society was among the first responders, deploying rescue personnel to coordinate search and evacuation efforts.

In an update issued later in the day, Nairobi Chief County Officer in charge of Disaster Management Bramwel Simiyu confirmed the fatalities and ongoing rescue operations.

“Three people have been confirmed dead, and six others have been rescued and taken to hospital. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing,” Simiyu stated.

According to officials, the bodies recovered from the scene were those of three middle-aged men. The six survivors were rushed to Mbagathi Hospital, where they are receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the collapse.

The Kenya Red Cross indicated that the structure was still under construction at the time of the incident, a factor that has been cited in several recent building collapses across the city.

“A building collapse has been reported in the Highrise area of Kibera. Emergency response teams are currently on site conducting search and rescue operations,” the agency said in an earlier statement.

Authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of individuals who were inside or around the building when it caved in. However, eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud rumble before the structure gave way, sending debris crashing down and trapping workers and nearby residents.

Rescue teams, including firefighters, police officers, and volunteers, have been working around the clock to sift through the rubble in search of survivors. Heavy machinery has also been deployed to assist in clearing debris, although officials say the operation remains delicate due to the risk of further collapses.

The latest tragedy adds to a growing list of similar incidents in Nairobi, where concerns over structural integrity and enforcement of building regulations have been mounting. In recent months, several buildings under construction have collapsed, resulting in loss of life and injuries.

Just weeks earlier, a multi-storey building in the Westlands area collapsed, killing one person and injuring several others. In January, another under-construction building in South C also caved in, leaving two people dead.

Engineering experts have consistently pointed to a combination of factors behind the surge in collapses, including poor workmanship, use of substandard materials, and inadequate supervision of construction projects.

Speaking during a recent industry forum, officials from the Institution of Engineers of Kenya warned that negligence by developers remains a major contributor to the crisis.

They argued that while some engineers may be implicated, the bulk of responsibility lies with developers who bypass professional guidelines and fail to adhere to approved building plans.

County authorities have also faced criticism over alleged lapses in regulatory oversight, with calls growing louder for stricter enforcement of building codes and routine inspections of construction sites.

Residents in Kibera and surrounding areas expressed shock and fear following the incident, with many calling on the government to take decisive action to prevent further tragedies.

As rescue efforts continue into the evening, families of those feared trapped remain gathered near the site, anxiously awaiting updates.

The incident underscores the urgent need for reforms in the construction sector, as Nairobi grapples with rapid urbanisation and increasing demand for housing. For now, attention remains focused on the ongoing rescue mission, with hopes that more survivors will be pulled from the debris in the hours ahead.

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Scores Trapped After Building Collapses in Highrise Estate, Nairobi