Eastleigh Horror: Uncertified Building Collapse Traps Many, Sparks Outrage

A chaotic Friday afternoon unfolded in Nairobi's bustling Eastleigh 9th Street after an 18-floor building, which was under construction, catastrophically collapsed. The incident, reported around 1:09 pm shortly after afternoon prayers, turned what is usually a vibrant market day into a scene of frantic rescue operations. Cries from individuals believed to be trapped beneath the rubble were audible from a distance, as bulldozers and rescue teams tirelessly worked to locate survivors.

Initial efforts saw two victims, a man and a woman, pulled from the debris and rushed to a nearby hospital. Witnesses, such as Asha Jilo, recounted attempts to contact acquaintances working at the site, with one individual's phone remaining active for several hours before going offline, intensifying fears for those still unaccounted for. Eastleigh's customary Friday commerce came to a halt, with businesses shutting down as police managed crowds, including opportunists.

The collapsed structure, variously described as 15, 16, or 18 floors, was under active construction, with workers on its upper levels at the time of the incident. Critically, it was revealed that the building, despite having received construction approvals, lacked the mandatory occupation certificate. Disturbingly, the ground and first floors were already occupied by businesses, raising grave concerns about the potential number of casualties.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja visited the site, expressing that the immediate priority was saving lives. He acknowledged that while the building had approvals, the subsequent steps were questionable. "Before anybody gets an occupation certificate, you're not allowed to get into that property. At all. Even temporarily, that is not allowed," Sakaja stated. He further criticized developers who secure approvals, then dismiss qualified professionals, disregarding approved plans and safety standards. The Governor urged professional bodies to strengthen oversight, investigate such cases, and take disciplinary action, stressing the need for compliance with approved designs and obtaining occupation certificates after safety inspections. Sakaja also highlighted weak enforcement of regulations, noting that minimal fines, such as Sh5,000, fail to deter illegal practices.

Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud confirmed that reliable information indicated several people were trapped. He issued a stern warning, stating that investigations would ascertain responsibility for any negligence. "If there will be any death, that is negligence by murder. Whoever is the owner, whoever authorized the building, all of them will be charged properly," Mohamud declared, emphasizing that no one would be excused, and those found criminally negligent would face the full force of the law.

A multi-agency rescue operation is underway, involving the county government, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the National Disaster Operations Centre (NDOC), and the Kenya Red Cross. Health workers are on standby as teams utilize excavators, breakers, and sniffer dogs to clear massive debris and create access points. Rescuers hold hope, as some trapped individuals have been communicating from within the rubble, prompting intensified efforts to reach them as quickly as possible. Updates on the number of trapped or rescued persons are expected as the complex operation progresses.