In a statement, Southern Borough Manager Dabasso Wario said emergency and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the scene, with preliminary assessments indicating a severe structural failure.
“Early this morning, a fourteen-floor multi-storey building collapsed at Plot No. 209/5909/10 along Kiganjo Muhoho Avenue Junction, South C Ward, Lang’ata Sub-County, within the Southern Borough of Nairobi City County,” Wario said.
He added that Nairobi City County Government (NCCG) swiftly deployed emergency and rescue teams, noting that initial findings confirmed the incident involved a pancake collapse of the 14-floor building.
Authorities revealed that two individuals are believed to be trapped beneath the debris, prompting a coordinated multi-agency rescue operation.
“Emergency response and rescue operations are ongoing, supported by equipment from Nairobi City County, one excavator from the National Youth Service (NYS), the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Disaster Response Battalion, and the Nairobi Fire Brigade,” the statement said.
To enhance coordination and efficiency, a command centre has been established at the site, with debris removal proceeding alongside search and rescue operations.
County officials also warned that a nearby building could be at risk due to vibrations and impact from the collapse.
“An adjacent 14-floor building has been identified as a high-risk structure, with potential structural compromise. Theodolite and laser equipment have been deployed within the cold zone to continuously monitor wall tilting, leaning columns, crack widening, floor sagging, angular deviations, alignment shifts, and ground subsidence,” the statement noted.
Wario further disclosed that specialized Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams remain on site and revealed that the collapsed building had previously faced enforcement action.
“The site has been subject to enforcement action by NCCG on various dates in May, July, and December 2025 over a number of infractions,” he said.
The county government stated that safety measures are being intensified in the surrounding area and pledged to issue further updates as investigations continue.
“The safety of the surrounding neighbourhood is our second-highest priority. An adjacent 16-floor building is also being closely monitored. Investigations into the cause of the collapse are underway,” the statement concluded.
A pancake collapse occurs when a building’s floors fall vertically onto each other after key load-bearing elements such as columns or beams fail, often triggering a rapid progressive collapse.
Such failures are commonly linked to design flaws, poor construction practices, substandard materials, unauthorized additional floors, foundation failure, or intense vibrations.
Meanwhile, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino expressed shock and sadness over the incident, describing it as a painful reminder of governance failures within the county.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the collapse of the 16-storey building under construction in South C, which has left Nairobians in anguish and emergency teams scrambling for survivors,” Owino said.
He raised concerns that the building may have exceeded its approved design, alleging that additional floors were irregularly added.
“We note with grave concern reports suggesting that the structure was originally approved for 12 floors, but four unauthorised floors were added, allegedly facilitated through bribes,” he claimed.
Owino issued four demands, including a full independent investigation, suspension of approvals for suspicious developments, prosecution of those responsible, and stronger enforcement of building safety standards to prevent similar tragedies.
Meanwhile, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino expressed shock and sadness over the incident, describing it as a painful reminder of governance failures within the county.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the collapse of the 16-storey building under construction in South C, which has left Nairobians in anguish and emergency teams scrambling for survivors,” Owino said.
He raised concerns that the building may have exceeded its approved design, alleging that additional floors were irregularly added.
“We note with grave concern reports suggesting that the structure was originally approved for 12 floors, but four unauthorised floors were added, allegedly facilitated through bribes,” he claimed.
Owino issued four demands, including a full independent investigation, suspension of approvals for suspicious developments, prosecution of those responsible, and stronger enforcement of building safety standards to prevent similar tragedies.
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