NAIROBI — Rescue teams scrambled to Eastleigh on Friday afternoon after a multi-storey building under construction collapsed along 9th Street (Yusuf Haji Avenue, near the First Avenue intersection and next to Day to Day Supermarket), raising fears that workers and others may be trapped under the rubble.
The incident, which occurred around 1:40 p.m., brought the busy commercial strip to a standstill. Shops closed, crowds of residents, traders, and passers-by gathered, and traffic snarled on surrounding roads in one of Nairobi’s busiest commercial hubs.
Kenya Red Cross Nairobi Branch confirmed the collapse of the multi-storey structure and said its teams had been dispatched to support the response. The organisation urged the public to stay clear of the area so emergency crews could work safely.
Eyewitness accounts and early reports indicated the building was still under construction and had reached a high floor—some sources said the 18th—before it came down. There were also reports that lower floors housed shops and rental units despite the ongoing work, heightening concerns that people may have been inside at the time of the collapse.
Nairobi police boss Issa Mohamed said authorities were still gathering information, noting the building was roughly 10 floors high and that additional officers had been sent to help coordinate responders. The number of people potentially trapped, casualties, and injuries had not been confirmed as of early reports.
The timing added to the chaos: the collapse happened on a Friday in the predominantly Muslim neighbourhood during the period of weekly prayers, increasing foot traffic in the area. Crowds complicated access for emergency vehicles, and some accounts described disorder at the scene, with police using teargas to disperse people in places and reports of interference with ambulances.
The cause of the collapse remained unclear. Nairobi City County, the National Police Service, the National Disaster Management Unit, and the National Construction Authority had not issued detailed statements by the time initial reports emerged, leaving questions about approvals and compliance with building standards unanswered.
Images from the scene showed large crowds, dust, and the remains of the structure amid the dense urban surroundings of Eastleigh.
This is a developing story. Emergency operations were ongoing, and authorities continued to assess the site and search for anyone who may have been caught in the collapse. Further updates on casualties, the exact cause, and the rescue effort are expected as more information becomes available.