One person has been rescued from the rubble of a collapsed multi-storey building in Eastleigh, Nairobi, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has said.
Addressing the press at the scene on Friday, Kanja confirmed the rescue as emergency teams continued searching for people feared trapped beneath the debris of the 18-storey building along 1st Avenue, 9th Street.
The rescued person has been taken to hospital.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said rescue officers were carefully clearing sections of the rubble to allow oxygen into the building and improve the chances of survival for those still trapped inside.
The governor, who visited the scene accompanied by several county officials, said the rescue operation was ongoing as responders worked to access parts of the collapsed structure.
The building was still under construction when it collapsed, although the ground floor was already occupied, according to an update issued by Nairobi City County.
Sakaja also said the building did not comply with construction guidelines and vowed that legal action would be taken against the owner.
The collapse prompted a major emergency response, with county teams deploying machinery to remove debris and open access routes to areas where people could be trapped.
In an update issued at 2 pm, the county said its emergency response teams were assessing the scene and conducting search and rescue operations.
“Rescue teams are assessing the scene and conducting search and rescue operations amid reports that people may be trapped beneath the rubble,” the county said.
The county added that machinery had been deployed to support debris removal and facilitate access to potential victims. Its Relief Officer had also been notified, with efforts underway to mobilise additional resources.
Earlier, police lobbed tear gas to disperse crowds that had gathered at the scene, as the growing number of onlookers threatened to obstruct access for emergency responders.
Movement along 9th Street and First Avenue slowed significantly as residents, traders and passers-by rushed towards the site to establish what had happened and whether anyone had been rescued.
The incident disrupted activity in the busy commercial neighbourhood, with police attempting to control the crowds and keep access routes clear for emergency vehicles.
The number of people who may have been trapped, the full casualty toll and the cause of the collapse had not been established by the time of the county’s initial update.
Sakaja’s pledge to pursue legal action is likely to intensify scrutiny of construction approvals and enforcement of building regulations in Nairobi.
Authorities are expected to investigate whether the building had the necessary permits and complied with approved structural plans and safety requirements.
The rescue operation was continuing as emergency teams worked to clear debris, reach possible survivors and establish the full extent of the incident.
