[REVISION HISTORY]

Nairobi building collapses and Eastleigh rescue efforts

Updated 11 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-26 15:34 UTC → 2026-10-27 06:18 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In mid-October 2026, a building collapse occurred on Moi Avenue in Nairobi’s Central Business District during a nighttime demolition of the former Club Avenida site. The incident injured at least four people, with one individual reported to be in critical condition. Nairobi County official Geoffrey Mosiria ordered an investigation to determine if the collapse was caused by the cutting of supporting metal beams and to verify if proper demolition approvals and professional supervision were in place. On October 23, 2026, a second structural failure occurred in the Eastleigh area of Nairobi at the intersection of 9th Street and First Avenue. A building under construction, estimated to be between 10 and 18 storeys high, suffered a “pancake-type collapse” between 1:00 PM and 1:40 PM local time. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja noted that while the property had received change-of-use approval, it lacked architectural plans and an occupation certificate, making the presence of businesses on the ground floor illegal. Authorities confirmed 11 shops in the ground floor and basement were occupied at the time. Emergency responders from the Nairobi City County, the National Police Service, the Kenya Red Cross, and military personnel launched search and rescue operations. While at least one woman was rescued, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen reported that seven people were missing. Of the 67 construction workers on-site, 66 escaped without injury, though one worker was hospitalized. Operations faced challenges from civil unrest and looting, necessitating the use of tear gas and shots fired by police to clear access. By October 25, rescue teams had pulled four survivors from the debris, including tailor Victor Onyango and shop owner Zainab Mohammed, who both survived more than 30 hours trapped. While the Interior Ministry initially reported seven missing, the Kenya Red Cross stated that reports of missing persons have risen to 47.

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