The Eastleigh building collapse: what happened, why buildings fall, and how to check yours
A building of up to 18 floors collapsed in Eastleigh on 23 October 2026. Ten days later, 16 people were still unaccounted for. Here is what we know, why Nairobi buildings keep falling, and the checks every tenant and buyer can make.
On Friday 23 October 2026, a multi-storey building under construction collapsed on Yusuf Haji Avenue, near 9th Street, in Eastleigh, Nairobi. Workers and traders were inside. The rescue that followed became one of the longest in the city's recent history.
What we know so far
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When | Friday 23 October 2026, around midday |
| Where | Yusuf Haji Avenue, Eastleigh, Nairobi |
| How tall | Up to 18 floors, according to a count from video taken shortly before the collapse |
| Rescued alive | Several people, including six rescued over five days in the first week, and two found alive on day seven |
| Still missing | 16 people unaccounted for, after verification by the Kenya Red Cross and the DCI (as of 30–31 October) |
| Paperwork | The county says the building had an approval but no occupation certificate |
| Investigation | The Director of Public Prosecutions has asked the DCI to investigate possible negligence by developers, professionals and public officials |
"Approved" is not the same as "safe to occupy"
Governor Johnson Sakaja said the building had approval to be built, but no occupation certificate, the document that says a finished building has been inspected and is fit for people to use. That raises the question of why people were inside while it was still going up.
He also said some developers hire qualified engineers and architects to get approval, then replace them with cheaper, unqualified people once building starts. He urged professionals to report such cases to their regulators and the county.
Why buildings collapse in Nairobi
- Extra floors. Owners add storeys beyond what was approved, overloading the structure.
- Poor materials. Too little cement or steel, or weak concrete, to save money.
- No professional supervision. Work goes on without the engineers named on the approval.
- Weak enforcement. Inspections are skipped, or problems are ignored. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has called for an independent probe of the approval system.
- Ground and water. Heavy rain and poor drainage can weaken foundations, especially near rivers.
How to check a building before you rent or buy
- Ask for the occupation certificate. A landlord or developer should be able to show it. No certificate is a red flag.
- Check the contractor. Construction firms must be registered with the National Construction Authority (NCA).
- Watch for warning signs: large or growing cracks, floors that slope, doors that suddenly stick, water leaking through walls, or people living in a building that is still under construction.
- Report concerns to Nairobi City County's planning department or the NCA. Don't wait for a collapse.
What to watch
- Whether the developer and the officials who approved and inspected the building are charged.
- Whether the county audits other high-rise buildings in Eastleigh and across Nairobi.
- Support for families of the missing, and confirmed casualty figures.
Related: the El Niño short rains and Nairobi's CBD upgrade.
Sources
- Woman's body recovered as Eastleigh building collapse rescue enters eighth day, The Star (30 Oct 2026)
- Authorities launch manhunt for collapsed Eastleigh building owner as approval details emerge, Kenyans.co.ke (23 Oct 2026)
- Family says missing kin's phone being answered beneath Eastleigh rubble, Kenyans.co.ke (31 Oct 2026)
