Nairobi — Tragedy has struck Nairobi’s South C estate after rescue teams recovered one body from the rubble of a collapsed multi-storey building, intensifying fears that more victims may still be trapped beneath the debris.
The grim discovery was made on Sunday as multi-agency rescue operations entered their third day following the dramatic collapse of the building, which came down early Friday morning. The structure, which was still under construction, reportedly pancaked into itself, leaving twisted metal, concrete slabs and dust covering a wide area near a busy commercial zone in South C.
According to officials overseeing the operation, the body was retrieved in the afternoon after hours of careful digging by trained rescue personnel. The remains were removed from the scene by humanitarian responders and handed over to authorities as the search continued for at least one more person believed to be trapped.
Rescue leaders said the operation has been slow and delicate due to the unstable nature of the debris, with heavy machinery used sparingly to avoid further collapse. Sniffer dogs, manual excavation and specialised equipment are being deployed to locate any signs of life or additional victims.
Initial reports suggested that several people could have been inside the building at the time of the collapse. However, government officials later revised the number, stating that preliminary investigations, including CCTV analysis and witness accounts, point to two people who may have been inside the structure when it fell.
The incident has once again raised serious concerns over construction safety and regulatory enforcement in Nairobi. Authorities revealed that the building had previously been flagged for non-compliance with approved plans, including allegations that it exceeded the number of floors allowed. These revelations have fueled public anger and renewed calls for accountability within county planning and construction oversight offices.
Local leaders and residents have demanded swift action against developers and officials found culpable, warning that similar disasters could occur if unsafe construction practices continue unchecked. Some leaders have gone as far as calling for resignations within county planning departments, citing systemic failures.
Meanwhile, families of the missing remain at the scene, anxiously waiting for updates as rescue teams work around the clock. Security officers have cordoned off the area, urging members of the public to stay away due to the risk of secondary collapses.
Investigations by national construction and engineering authorities are now underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse.
