NAIROBI, Kenya — Rescue teams temporarily suspended debris removal at the site of the Eastleigh building collapse in Nairobi after people feared trapped beneath the rubble reportedly warned that the operation was affecting their oxygen supply.
All excavators were halted as emergency responders reviewed how to continue the search without further compromising the air supply of possible survivors. The pause prompted consultations among disaster response teams on the safest way to resume the operation.
The development came as authorities launched a manhunt for the building’s owner and raised questions about the approvals, professional supervision and enforcement procedures surrounding the construction project.
Sakaja raises questions over building approval
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said the collapsed building had received an approval certificate from the county government but did not have an occupation certificate.
The distinction raises questions about how parts of the property came to be used for business activities while construction was still under way.
Sakaja also expressed concern over developers who allegedly replace qualified professionals after obtaining construction approvals, potentially leaving projects without adequate technical supervision.
“We are appealing to all professionals that once you are given an approval and later fired, you must report to the regulators as well as the county government, because from the look here it appears like there was no professional on site,” Sakaja said.
The governor’s remarks put the spotlight on the role of developers, construction professionals and county regulators in ensuring that buildings meet safety requirements before being occupied.
However, the circumstances surrounding the project’s approval, supervision and occupation will need to be established through the investigations.
People feared trapped as rescue teams reassess operation
One woman has been rescued from the rubble and taken to hospital, while emergency responders continue working to establish how many people may still be trapped.
Sakaja said rescuers had heard people communicating from inside the collapsed structure. Teams had been clearing debris to create space for oxygen to reach those believed to be alive beneath the rubble.
The reported warning about oxygen supplies has introduced an additional challenge for rescuers, who must balance the need to remove debris with the risk of disturbing spaces where survivors may be trapped.
The number of people missing or trapped remains unconfirmed.
A casual labourer who had been at the site before taking a lunch break told reporters that more than 70 people could have been in the basement.
The estimate included construction workers, food sellers and other service providers, but it has not been independently verified.
The figure should therefore not be treated as an official count of people trapped.
Building’s height and occupancy under scrutiny
The building stood along Yusuf Haji Avenue, next to Day to Day Supermarket on 9th Street in Eastleigh, a busy commercial area where businesses were reportedly operating on the lower floors while construction continued.
Footage obtained by Vivid Voice News showed the structure shortly before it collapsed, with the publication counting up to 18 floors.
Other initial reports gave different estimates of its height, and the precise number of floors has not been consistently established.
The presence of business activities in parts of the building has also raised questions about whether adequate safeguards were in place for workers, traders, customers and other people using the premises.
The county’s confirmation that the building had approval but lacked an occupation certificate is likely to feature prominently in efforts to establish whether regulatory requirements were followed and who was responsible for allowing the premises to be used.
Police warn of action against those responsible
Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamed said authorities would pursue anyone found responsible for the collapse, including those involved in authorising the construction.
He warned that individuals found culpable of criminal negligence would face the law. The building’s owner had not presented himself to police, according to the information provided by the authorities.
Investigators are expected to establish the roles played by the developer, contractors, engineers and other professionals, as well as the relevant county officials.
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Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has called for an independent investigation into the building approval system, citing concerns over alleged corruption, negligence and weak enforcement.
The allegations have not been established as findings of an investigation. Any determination of criminal responsibility will depend on the evidence gathered by the relevant authorities.
Multi-agency teams deployed
The rescue operation has brought together personnel from the Kenya Defence Forces, General Service Unit, regular police, Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, Bomb Disposal Unit, National Youth Service, Kenya Red Cross and other specialised emergency teams.
Excavators, breakers and sniffer dogs have also been deployed to help clear debris and locate possible survivors.
Police have urged residents and onlookers to keep away from the affected area to allow emergency personnel to work and maintain access for rescue equipment.
The immediate priority remains locating anyone still alive beneath the rubble, providing assistance to the injured and determining the number of people affected.
The investigation into the collapse will also need to establish why the structure failed and whether construction, supervision, approval or occupancy requirements were breached.
As rescue teams reassess how to proceed following the reported oxygen concerns, the search remains a race against time, with the number of people still trapped and the full circumstances of the collapse yet to be established.
