Eastleigh Building Collapse: Workers Describe Warning Signs Before Disaster

Workers who survived the collapse of a multi-storey building in Eastleigh, Nairobi, have described the frightening moments before the structure came crashing down on Friday, October 23, 2026.

The building, located along Yusuf Haji Avenue near 9th Street, collapsed while construction work was ongoing. Commercial premises on the ground floor were reportedly occupied at the time of the incident.

According to survivor accounts published by Daily Nation, workers noticed cracks in one of the building’s supporting columns before the structure began to shake. Some immediately fled in an attempt to escape the disaster.

Alexander Kidida, one of the workers who survived, said the cracks prompted them to run outside shortly before the building collapsed.

Other workers described hearing unusual noises and feeling the structure shake as people began rushing out of the building.

Joseph Kaula, who was working on the fifth floor, said he initially mistook the shouting outside for a disturbance before realising that the building was in danger. He managed to escape as the structure came down.

Rescue Teams Search for Missing People

The collapse triggered an emergency response as rescue workers searched through the debris for survivors. Some workers were reportedly in the basement when the building fell, raising fears that people could still be trapped beneath the rubble.

Authorities said rescue efforts involved emergency personnel, police officers and Nairobi County response teams. Heavy machinery was deployed to help remove debris and create access to areas where people might be trapped.

Nairobi police chief Issa Mohamud said one person had been rescued and taken to hospital as of the initial reports on Friday evening. The condition and whereabouts of other people believed to be inside the building remained uncertain at that stage.

Kenya Red Cross urged members of the public to stay away from the scene to allow emergency teams to work safely. Crowds gathering around the site had also complicated access for rescue vehicles.

Building Safety Under Scrutiny

The incident has raised concerns about construction safety and the enforcement of building regulations in Nairobi.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said the building had received construction approval but lacked an occupation certificate, despite commercial activity on the ground floor. He also raised concerns about compliance with construction guidelines and promised legal action against those found responsible.

Authorities had not established the precise cause of the collapse in the initial reports. The reported cracks and shaking before the incident may provide important information for investigators examining what happened.

The disaster has renewed questions about building inspections, construction supervision and whether safety requirements are adequately enforced throughout the development process.

As rescue operations continued, the immediate priority remained locating people who might still be trapped and determining the full extent of the casualties.

The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the collapse and establish whether any construction or regulatory failures contributed to the disaster.