NAIROBI, Kenya — At least three people have died and six others rescued following the collapse of a building under construction in the Highrise area of Kibera, authorities have confirmed.
Emergency responders led by the Kenya Red Cross said the structure, which was still under construction at the time of the incident, caved in, trapping workers and nearby occupants.
“Highrise Building Collapse Update: The collapsed building was under construction. Six individuals have been rescued and taken to Mbagathi Hospital. Response teams remain on site,” the organisation said in a statement.
Search and rescue teams moved swiftly to the scene, pulling survivors from the rubble and transporting the injured to Mbagathi Hospital for treatment.
Authorities said operations were ongoing, with responders continuing to comb through debris amid concerns that more people could have been trapped at the time of the collapse.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as residents and workers attempted to assist before emergency teams secured the area.
The incident has once again spotlighted concerns over construction safety standards in rapidly expanding urban settlements across Nairobi, where informal developments and regulatory lapses have previously been linked to structural failures.
Officials have urged developers and contractors to strictly adhere to approved building codes and safety regulations, warning that negligence could lead to further tragedies.
Residents have also been encouraged to report unsafe construction practices or visible structural weaknesses to relevant authorities.
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Authorities called on members of the public to stay clear of the site to allow emergency teams to operate effectively and minimise additional risks.
Security personnel have since cordoned off the area as rescue efforts continue.
Building collapses remain a recurring challenge in Nairobi and other fast-growing cities in the region, often attributed to substandard materials, unauthorised construction, and weak enforcement of planning regulations.
Urban planners and safety experts have repeatedly called for stricter oversight, routine inspections, and accountability within the construction sector to prevent avoidable loss of life.
Investigations into the cause of the collapse are expected to begin once rescue operations are concluded.
