A 16-storey building collapsed in Nairobi, Kenya, on Friday, raising fears that several people may be trapped under the rubble.
The building was still under construction when it collapsed on October 23. It stood in Eastleigh, a busy residential and commercial area of the Kenyan capital.
Emergency teams rushed to the scene to search for possible victims. Meanwhile, police used tear gas to disperse crowds after local media reported incidents of looting.
The Nairobi building collapse has also raised fresh concerns about construction safety in Kenya.
Rescue teams respond to Nairobi building collapse
Emergency workers and security officers arrived shortly after the building collapsed.
The 16-storey structure fell into a large pile of rubble. As a result, authorities fear that people may remain trapped beneath the debris.
However, officials have not confirmed the number of casualties.
Large crowds gathered near the site as rescue operations began. Local media also reported looting in the surrounding area.
Police then used tear gas to disperse the crowds and clear the area.
So far, authorities have not announced the cause of the collapse.
Nairobi’s construction boom raises concerns
Nairobi has experienced rapid construction growth in recent years.
The city continues to attract people from rural areas and neighbouring countries. Consequently, demand for housing and commercial buildings has increased.
Developers have responded by building more high-rise structures across the capital.
According to figures cited by Africanews, Nairobi completed 20,025 buildings in 2022. That number increased to 25,090 in 2025.
However, the rapid growth has raised questions about building safety.
Some construction projects have faced criticism over poor oversight and weak enforcement of regulations.
In addition, concerns about corruption have increased scrutiny of the construction industry.
A government audit in 2025 found serious problems with building standards across Kenya.
According to the findings, 87% of the buildings examined either failed to meet safety standards or lacked the required approvals.
Nevertheless, officials have not established whether such problems contributed to the latest collapse.
Previous building collapses in Kenya
Kenya has experienced several deadly building collapses over the past decade.
In September 2022, a six-storey building collapsed in a town outside Nairobi. The incident killed five people.
Earlier, in April 2016, another residential building collapsed in northeastern Nairobi.
Heavy rainfall and flooding preceded that disaster, which claimed 49 lives.
The tragedy led to renewed calls for stronger inspections and better enforcement of construction rules.
However, building safety remains a concern as Nairobi continues to expand.
Authorities face questions over building safety
The latest Nairobi building collapse has once again highlighted the importance of construction safety.
Rapid development has transformed the capital’s skyline. However, experts and officials have repeatedly raised concerns about compliance with building regulations.
For now, emergency operations remain the immediate priority.
Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the collapse or release a verified casualty toll.
The incident is likely to bring renewed attention to building inspections and construction oversight in Kenya.