Multi-Storey Building Collapses During Construction in Kenya's Nairobi; Many Feared Trapped

NAIROBI, Oct 23: A multi-storey building under construction collapsed in Kenya’s capital on Friday, leaving several people feared trapped beneath the rubble as rescue teams rushed to the scene in the densely populated Eastleigh area.

Videos shared online showed the building, reportedly about 18 storeys high, collapsing in a massive cloud of dust. The structure was reduced to a heap of rubble in an area surrounded by other high-rise buildings, making access difficult for emergency responders.

Police said a woman had been rescued from the debris and rescuers could hear the voice of another person trapped beneath the rubble. The number of people trapped and the full extent of casualties were not immediately known.

Bibiye Mahmoud, president of the Institution of Engineering Technology of Kenya, said many people were believed to be trapped and raised concerns about construction standards and professional oversight.

“ The contractors and the engineers are supposed to ensure that the works are followed by professionals. But most are not. This is why we are seeing these catastrophes... There is no accountability,” Mahmoud told AFP at the scene.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said the building did not have an occupation certificate, which is the official approval confirming that a building is legally fit for occupation and meets the relevant safety requirements.

“Our concern is to save lives,” Sakaja told reporters, adding that the absence of the certificate had potentially cost lives.

John Ogallo, vice president of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, said there had reportedly been warning signs before the collapse, including cracks in the structure.

He warned that the use of unsuitable construction materials could have serious consequences.

The collapse has renewed concerns over building safety in Nairobi, where rapid urban development has fuelled a construction boom, particularly in Eastleigh, a busy commercial and residential district known for its large Somali community.

Kenya’s National Building Inspectorate found that 87 percent of buildings audited nationwide last year either failed to meet required standards or lacked the necessary approvals, according to the report cited in the account.

Local media reported that looting occurred shortly after the collapse around lunchtime. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds gathering near the site, AFP reported.

Building collapses have repeatedly raised questions about construction oversight and regulatory enforcement in the Kenyan capital.

A report by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis recorded 86 building collapses in Nairobi between 2009 and 2019, resulting in an estimated 200 deaths.

Official statistics cited in the report showed that the number of buildings completed annually in Nairobi increased from 20,025 in 2022 to 25,090 last year, reflecting the city’s growing demand for housing and commercial space as people move from rural areas and neighbouring countries.

Corruption and alleged regulatory failures have also been cited as factors allowing some contractors to bypass safety requirements or cut corners.

In September 2022, five people were killed when a six-storey building collapsed in a town on the outskirts of Nairobi.

In April 2016, 49 people died when a six-storey apartment building collapsed in the northeastern part of the capital after days of heavy rain triggered flooding and landslides.