NAIROBI, Kenya – The search for people trapped beneath the collapsed building in Nairobi’s Eastleigh neighbourhood has taken a tragic turn after rescuers recovered a woman’s body on Friday, eight days after the disaster.
The recovery along 9th Street marks the first reported retrieval of a body from the rubble since the multi-storey structure, which was still under construction, came crashing down on October 23.
Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan confirmed the development, expressing grief over the loss and sending condolences to the woman’s family and loved ones.
In a statement, the legislator urged emergency teams to intensify the operation, saying families of those still missing were waiting anxiously for news of their relatives.
“As the rescue operation enters its eighth day, we must not lose hope for those still trapped beneath the rubble,” Hassan said, calling on relevant agencies to provide the resources needed to bring out the remaining victims safely.
16 people still unaccounted for
The recovery comes as emergency teams continue working to reach the lower sections of the collapsed structure, particularly the basement, where some of the missing people are believed to have been trapped.
Authorities had earlier said approximately 80 per cent of the debris had been cleared, with the remaining work focused on accessing areas that have proved difficult to reach.
Nairobi North County Commissioner Simon Osumba said a verification exercise conducted with the Kenya Red Cross and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) established that 16 people remained unaccounted for.
Mobile phone data placed nine of the missing individuals at the building shortly before it collapsed. Investigators are pursuing information in four other cases, while three families are yet to provide phone numbers needed to help trace their relatives.
Hopes of further rescues had been raised after specialised equipment detected possible signs of life beneath the rubble. National Disaster Management Unit Director Dr Duncan Ochieng said teams were working to reach the locations where the signals had been detected.
Investigations into building collapse
Meanwhile, the disaster has triggered investigations into possible failures in construction approvals, supervision and compliance with safety regulations.
Detectives have questioned one of the developers alongside officials from Nairobi County, the National Building Inspectorate and the National Construction Authority as investigators seek to establish what caused the building to collapse.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed the DCI to investigate possible negligence or omissions involving public officials, developers and construction professionals connected to the project.
The inquiry is expected to examine the roles played by those involved in the planning, approval, inspection and construction of the building.
The collapse at approximately 1pm on October 23 prompted a multi-agency response involving disaster management teams, security officers, Nairobi County emergency personnel, the Kenya Red Cross and other responders.
As the search continues, families remain at the scene awaiting answers about their missing relatives, while the investigation seeks to establish whether the tragedy could have been prevented.
