Two feared trapped after 14-Storey building collapses in Nairobi’s South C

At least two people are feared trapped after a 14-storey building collapsed early Friday morning in South C, Nairobi, prompting a major multi-agency rescue operation.

According to a situation report by the Nairobi City County Government (NCCG), the building collapsed at Plot No. 209/5909/10 along Kiganjo Muhoho Avenue Junction in South C Ward, Lang’ata Sub-county, within the city’s Southern Borough. 

The incident occurred in the morning hours, with emergency teams deployed immediately.

Preliminary assessments indicate that the structure suffered a “pancake collapse” involving all 14 floors.

“Two people are believed to be trapped within the debris,” the county said, adding that search and rescue operations were ongoing.

Emergency response efforts are being jointly undertaken by teams from Nairobi City County, the National Youth Service (NYS), the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Disaster Response Battalion and the Nairobi Fire Brigade. 

Heavy machinery, including an excavator from the NYS, has been deployed to aid debris removal as rescuers continue with the primary search phase.

A command centre has been established at the scene to coordinate operations, while debris clearance is proceeding alongside rescue efforts to increase the chances of locating any survivors.

Authorities have also raised concerns over the safety of nearby structures. 

An adjacent 14-storey building has been classified as high risk due to potential structural compromise caused by vibrations and impact from the collapse. 

Monitoring equipment, including theodolite and laser instruments, has been deployed to track “wall tilting, leaning columns, crack widening, floor sagging, vertical and horizontal angular deviations, alignment shifts, tilts, and ground subsidence.”

In a further safety precaution, a nearby 16-storey building is also under close observation as rescue operations continue.

Utilities at the site include electricity and water, with relevant agencies notified and response actions activated to mitigate secondary risks. 

The Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team remains on site with specialised tools to support the ongoing operation.

The county revealed that the collapsed building had previously been flagged for non-compliance. 

“It is worth noting that the site has been subject to enforcement action by NCCG on varying dates in May, July and December 2025 over a number of infractions,” the report stated.

Investigations into the cause of the collapse are now underway as authorities seek to establish whether regulatory or structural failures contributed to the incident.

Dabasso Wario, the Borough Manager for the Southern Borough, said further updates would be issued as the situation evolves.

“The safety of the surrounding neighbourhood is our second highest priority,” he said, noting the continued monitoring of adjacent buildings.

Rescue teams remain at the scene as anxious relatives and residents await updates on those feared trapped under the rubble.