In brief
On Friday, a 16‑to‑18‑storey building in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area collapsed, leaving seven people feared trapped. Rescue crews faced challenges as excavation could limit air, so they paused heavy equipment. Authorities have begun investigations into the developer, architect and structural engineer, noting that the building was still under construction and lacked required occupancy paperwork. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about building safety standards in Kenya.
A multi‑storey building in Nairobi collapsed on Friday afternoon, leaving seven people feared trapped under rubble.
Rescue teams are working to locate survivors while questions mount over the building’s structural integrity and whether construction standards were met.
Images show the bottom floor giving way before the rest of the 16‑to‑18‑storey block crumpled, sending a plume of dust into the streets of Eastleigh.
Dozens of workers on upper floors escaped largely unharmed, but those in shops at the base could be trapped.
Authorities say the building was still under construction, with scaffolding visible and only 11 shops operating on the lowest levels.
The National Construction Authority has identified the developer, architect and structural engineer but has not yet confirmed prior inspections.
Governor Johnson criticised the owners for missing necessary occupancy paperwork and called for stronger local penalties against developers who ignore approved plans.
Building collapses are a recurrent hazard in Nairobi, often linked to poor construction practices or inadequate planning.
