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Security personnel and civil defense crews respond after a multistory building collapsed in Nairobi, Kenya, on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
NAIROBI – Emergency crews searched through the wreckage of a collapsed building in a crowded commercial district of Kenya’s capital on Friday, as fears grew that people remained trapped under the debris.
The structure was still being built when it came down along a heavily trafficked street in Nairobi’s Eastleigh neighborhood, an area known for its dense population of traders, shoppers and residents.
Nairobi police chief Issa Mohamud said the unfinished building was planned to rise more than 10 floors. Rescue efforts faced additional challenges after police used tear gas to disperse people accused of looting nearby stores, clearing a path for emergency teams to reach the site.
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The Kenya Red Cross said response teams were heading to the scene and appealed to bystanders to stay clear so rescuers could operate safely and effectively.
Building collapses have repeatedly raised safety concerns in Nairobi. County authorities responsible for approving construction projects have faced criticism over allegations that inspections are insufficient and that developers are not consistently held to required building codes and safety regulations.
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