Two People Feared Trapped in South C Building Collapse May Still Be Alive, Government Says
Rescue teams searching the wreckage of a collapsed 14-storey building in Nairobi’s South C area believe that two people feared trapped inside the structure may still be alive, the government has said, as emergency operations entered a second day.
Speaking during a media briefing on Saturday, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Geoffrey Ruku said information received from the Incident Command Post suggests there remains a possibility of survivors beneath the rubble.
“The reports we have indicate that two persons may have been trapped inside the collapsed structure,” Mr Ruku said. “There is reason to believe they could still be alive, and this belief continues to strongly inform and motivate the ongoing intensive rescue efforts.”
The building, which was under construction and included a basement parking area, collapsed at approximately 4.05am on Friday near South C Shopping Centre and Nairobi South Hospital. Authorities confirmed that the structure came down suddenly, triggering a large-scale emergency response.
According to government officials, the collapse has been classified as a “pancake-type” failure — a scenario in which floors collapse vertically onto one another. Such collapses significantly complicate rescue efforts due to the extreme compaction of debris.
A multi-agency response was activated immediately after the incident, led by the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU). Dr Duncan Ochieng, the designated Incident Commander, said a full Incident Command System had been established at the site to coordinate operations and ensure the safety of both rescuers and the public.
“The Incident Command System has been fully established at the site to ensure the safety of responders and the public, prioritise the rescue of suspected victims, clear roads, and restore normalcy,” Dr Ochieng said.
Specialised urban search and rescue teams have been working around the clock, using advanced equipment in an effort to maximise the so-called “golden rescue window” — the critical period in which trapped victims are most likely to be found alive following a structural collapse.
Meanwhile, the government has confirmed that a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the collapse is underway. Mr Ruku said a multi-sectoral probe team has been assembled, bringing together the National Police Service, the National Construction Authority (NCA), the Engineers Board of Kenya, the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS), NEMA, Nairobi City County and other relevant agencies.
On Friday, the NCA disclosed that the building was non-compliant at the time of collapse, while Nairobi City County confirmed it had previously issued three enforcement notices citing regulatory violations.
The development, located on Muhono Avenue, Plot No. 68/1306 in South C Ward, had been approved as a 14-storey mixed-use project and was registered with the NCA on November 8, 2023. Records show that Abyan Consulting Limited was both the developer and contractor, with Yussuf Mohamed Yussuf listed as the sole director.
Project consultants named by authorities include architect Gideon Chege Mwangi, engineer Peter Kimani Kireru and quantity surveyor James Kiragu Njoroge.
Mr Ruku urged members of the public to avoid speculation on social media, warning that unverified claims could hinder rescue efforts and cause unnecessary panic. He also confirmed that assessments of nearby buildings were ongoing to determine whether they pose any risk.
The government said it would issue official updates twice daily at 9am and 4pm, or as circumstances require.
Commending emergency personnel for their efforts, Mr Ruku praised teams from the Kenya Defence Forces Disaster Response Battalion, the National Youth Service, Nairobi Fire Brigade, Kenya Red Cross and St John Ambulance.
“The Government remains fully present, fully committed, and firmly at the frontline of this response,” he said. “The safety of our people, the rescue or recovery of the suspected victims, and accountability for this incident remain our highest priorities.”
Also Read: UDA Victory Under Threat After CJ Martha Koome’s New Orders on Mbeere North By-Election Case
Two People Feared Trapped in South C Building Collapse May Still Be Alive, Government Says