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

Several people are feared trapped after an 18-storey building under construction collapsed in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area on Friday, October 23, 2026, prompting an emergency response as residents gathered at the scene.

The building collapsed along Yusuf Haji Avenue, next to Day to Day Supermarket on 9th Street, bringing business activities in the busy commercial area to a standstill. The incident attracted crowds of residents, traders and passersby who gathered to witness the unfolding situation.

According to reports from the scene, the building was still under construction and had reportedly reached its 18th floor before collapsing. However, the exact number of people who may have been inside the structure at the time remained unclear, with authorities yet to confirm any casualties or injuries.

The Kenya Red Cross confirmed the incident and announced that its emergency response teams were heading to the scene to assist with rescue efforts. There were concerns that construction workers and other occupants could have been trapped beneath the rubble as responders worked to establish the situation.

Reports indicated that the building had shops and rental units operating on its lower floors despite the ongoing construction work. The circumstances surrounding the collapse, including whether the structure had received the necessary approvals and complied with construction regulations, remained unclear.

The incident also caused significant traffic congestion on roads leading into and out of Eastleigh as emergency teams and members of the public converged on the area. The large crowds reportedly made it difficult for rescue personnel and emergency vehicles to access the site and coordinate their response.

The Nairobi County Government, National Police Service, National Disaster Management Unit and National Construction Authority had not issued official statements on the incident by the time of publication. Questions therefore remained about the building’s construction status and the circumstances that led to its collapse.

Rescue efforts were expected to establish whether anyone was trapped and determine the extent of the damage. Further details on possible casualties, the cause of the collapse and the progress of the emergency operation were still awaited.

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