A high-rise building under construction collapsed in the Eastleigh district of Nairobi, Kenya, with multiple people believed trapped beneath the rubble. Rescue teams are urgently searching for survivors amid concerns over construction standards.
On 23 October 2026, foreign news agencies reported that a high-rise building under construction collapsed in Eastleigh, Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. The building fell into a pile of concrete debris, with many people trapped underneath. Rescue teams rushed to the scene to search for survivors.
Reports indicate the building was about 18 stories tall and collapsed around 1:00 p.m. local time in a busy commercial and residential street. The upper floors were still under construction. The collapse caused multiple floors to cave in on one another, with debris wedged between nearby tall buildings, making access for rescue operations very difficult.
Issa Mohamud, Nairobi's police chief, said that one injured person had been rescued from the rubble and taken to hospital. Another person calling for help went silent. He also warned of possible secondary collapse because the debris leaned against adjacent buildings.
During rescue efforts, police used tear gas to disperse crowds near the site after reports that some individuals were looting nearby shops. Authorities worked to clear the area to allow rescue teams to operate.
The incident raised concerns about construction safety standards in Kenya. John Ogallo, vice president of the Institution of Engineers Kenya, said signs of damage like cracks had been noticed before the collapse. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja stated the building lacked a certificate of occupancy, which legally confirms a building is safe and fit for use.
A report by Kenya’s National Building Inspection Unit revealed that in 2025, 87% of inspected buildings nationwide failed safety standards or lacked necessary permits. Meanwhile, Nairobi is experiencing rapid construction growth.