At least two people are feared dead after a 16-storey building under construction collapsed on Friday morning in Nairobi’s South C estate, sparking panic and a large-scale emergency response.
The incident occurred in the Shopping Centre area at around 8am on January 2, 2026. The National Disaster Management Unit (NMDU) said it received an alert shortly after the collapse and immediately deployed police officers and emergency rescue teams to the scene.
Residents and business owners fled as thick dust and debris filled the area following the collapse of the high-rise structure, which was still under construction at the time.
The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that a multi-agency response team was dispatched to coordinate search and rescue operations, manage crowds and secure the affected area.
“The area has been cordoned off as the National Disaster Management Unit, Nairobi City County, the National Police Service and the Kenya Red Cross continue rescue efforts,” the organisation said in a statement.
By mid-morning, rescuers were working to locate at least two people believed to be trapped under the rubble. Authorities also raised concerns about the safety of a neighbouring building, which showed signs of structural movement following the collapse.
The NMDU said rescue efforts were being conducted cautiously, noting that the structural integrity of the adjacent building would only be assessed by the National Construction Authority (NCA) once teams accessed the lower floors of the collapsed structure. Residents in the area were advised to remain alert as a precaution.
The incident comes amid growing concern over the safety of buildings under construction in Nairobi. Last month, the NCA warned residents in Westlands to remain vigilant after visible cracks developed in a 13-storey building along Peponi Road, which was later flagged as being at risk of collapse due to structural failures.
In recent months, several construction-related accidents have been reported across the city. In July last year, multiple workers were injured when a wall collapsed at a construction site on Rhapta Road in Westlands, while in February, one person died after a three-storey building under construction collapsed in Parklands.
Investigations into the cause of the South C collapse are expected to follow once rescue operations are completed.
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