Eastleigh Building Collapse: Rescue Operations Underway as Police Disperse Crowd with Teargas

Rescue operations are underway following the collapse of a 12-storey building along 1st Avenue, 9th Street, in Eastleigh, Nairobi, on Friday, October 23, 2026.

According to a 2:00 pm status update from Nairobi City County, the building was still under construction, although the ground floor was already occupied at the time of the incident.

Emergency response teams have been deployed to the scene and are conducting search and rescue operations amid reports that people could be trapped beneath the rubble.

The situation at the scene remains chaotic, with large crowds gathering around the collapsed building as residents and onlookers seek information about the incident.

Onlookers milled around the scene, with crowds gathering near the rubble to witness the rescue operation. The growing crowds added to the confusion as emergency responders worked to access the affected building and establish whether anyone remained trapped beneath the debris.

Police were forced to use tear gas to disperse the crowd as confusion mounted, complicating efforts to manage the situation around the disaster site.

The incident also triggered significant traffic disruption along roads leading to and from Eastleigh, with motorists caught in congestion as emergency vehicles and other responders accessed the scene. Road users were forced to contend with delays as police worked to control movement around the affected area.

Heavy machinery has also been mobilised to support debris removal and create access routes for rescuers searching for possible survivors.

The county said the Relief Officer had been notified as authorities worked to mobilise additional resources to support the ongoing emergency response.

The circumstances surrounding the collapse remain unclear, with rescue teams continuing to assess the scene and establish the extent of the damage.

The number of people who may have been inside the building when it came down had not been established by the time of the 2:00 pm update.

Authorities are expected to provide further information as rescue operations progress and more details emerge.

The incident has raised concerns about construction safety and compliance with building regulations in Nairobi, particularly as emergency teams work to establish whether anyone remains trapped beneath the debris.

Further updates are expected as the search and rescue operation continues.