Rescue operations continue at the collapsed building site on Eastleigh’s 9th Street.
Police seek the building owner and contractor as emergency teams search the rubble along 9th Street and help families trace relatives.
Police are pursuing the owner and contractor over the Eastleigh building collapse as rescue operations continue in Nairobi. The multi-storey structure collapsed along 9th Street on Friday, prompting a multi-agency emergency response.
Police spokesman Muchiri Nyaga said investigators were seeking the two as they examined what caused the collapse. However, police had not named either person or specified any potential charges in the information provided.
Eastleigh building collapse investigation
Nyaga said investigators would examine whether negligence, structural defects or breaches of building regulations contributed to the incident. The inquiry also seeks to establish whether those involved met required construction safety standards.
He warned that anyone found culpable would face legal action. That includes individuals or entities whose actions violated construction rules or fell short of safety requirements.
Meanwhile, the National Police Service is working with relevant agencies and professional bodies as rescue teams continue their search. Investigators will determine whether any parties bear criminal or other legal responsibility for the collapse.
Rescuers search rubble along 9th Street
The emergency response brings together police, the Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Red Cross and Nairobi City County emergency teams. Rescuers are using heavy excavators and specialised search equipment to clear debris and look for anyone still trapped.
As the operation continues, emergency teams have urged the public to stay away from the immediate scene. They need space to move personnel and operate heavy machinery without obstruction.
Authorities have specifically advised people to avoid Yusuf Haji Avenue and 9th Street during the response. Police also expressed sympathy with those affected and said rescue efforts would continue.
Red Cross opens family assistance desk
The Kenya Red Cross has set up an emergency desk at the site to assist families seeking relatives. Families can also call its emergency hotline, 1199, for help.
Teams are working to account for everyone who may have been at the construction site. Meanwhile, the collapse has renewed concerns about construction safety and compliance with Nairobi’s building regulations.
The investigation will seek to establish the circumstances of the collapse, alongside the continuing rescue operation.
