Workers Trapped After 22-Storey Building Collapses in Westlands
Police confirmed in an early morning update that at least one person had died while three others were rescued following the incident along School Lane, near Bank of Africa.
According to authorities, the structure had reached approximately 22 floors when the upper section suddenly gave way at around 8 p.m., trapping workers who were on site at the time.
“The building had reached 22 floors, and the upper floor caved in, trapping the four workers who were present at about 8 pm,” police said in a statement.
Rescue Efforts Through the Night
Emergency teams, including firefighters, police units, and volunteers from Kenya Red Cross Society, were dispatched to the scene shortly after the collapse. Rescuers worked overnight using heavy machinery, floodlights, and manual digging to reach those buried under concrete and twisted steel.
The Red Cross initially reported that four workers were at the site when the collapse occurred. Two managed to escape without injuries, while the remaining two were trapped beneath the debris.
“Rescue operations are ongoing,” responders said, noting that the condition of those trapped was unclear at the time.
Authorities cordoned off the area to prevent additional casualties and to allow search teams to operate safely amid fears of further structural failure.
Rising Pattern of Building Failures
The incident comes amid growing concern over a series of construction-related disasters across Nairobi and other parts of Kenya. Safety experts have repeatedly warned about substandard materials, inadequate supervision, and non-compliance with approved building plans.
Less than 24 hours earlier, another building under construction collapsed in Kaptebeswet, killing at least one person and injuring several others. The collapse prompted an emergency response from the Kericho County Government.
Images from the Kericho site showed a partially failed structure with a collapsed concrete slab, exposed reinforcement bars, and what appeared to be unstable wooden support frames—indicators often associated with structural weaknesses during construction.
Recent Tragedy in Nairobi
Just days earlier, on March 16, a separate incident in Shauri Moyo left multiple people trapped after a partially demolished building collapsed at Blue Estate. The structure had been part of a cluster undergoing demolition operations.
Despite the coordinated effort, four people died while four others were rescued and taken to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment.
Questions Over Enforcement
Urban planners and civil engineers say the repeated incidents highlight gaps in regulatory enforcement, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas where high-rise developments are increasingly common.
Westlands, one of Nairobi’s busiest commercial districts, has experienced a surge in high-density construction projects, intensifying scrutiny over compliance with safety standards.
Community Shock and Safety Concerns
Emergency officials urged the public to avoid the site as rescue operations continue and engineers assess the stability of the remaining structure.
As search efforts progress, the tragedy underscores the human cost of construction failures and the urgent need for stricter oversight to prevent further disasters in Kenya’s rapidly expanding cities.
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Workers Trapped After 22-Storey Building Collapses in Westlands
