NAIROBI, Kenya — Relatives of those trapped under the rubble of a collapsed multi‑storey building in South C, Nairobi, have made emotional pleas for the government to expedite rescue operations as emergency crews continue to search for survivors.
Among them is Safia Ali, whose brother is believed to be inside the collapsed structure and was able to call her shortly after the accident but could not speak clearly.
She said her brother, a father of three, made contact before his phone went silent.
“We urge the government to expedite the recovery operation so that we can have him back alive,” Safia told reporters at the scene, appealing for swift action as anxious families wait for news.
Safia Ali, whose brother is trapped inside the South C building, says he managed to call her but was unable to speak properly. She has appealed to the government to speed up the rescue operation so that her brother can be brought out safely.
Rescue Efforts Ongoing
The building, a 16‑storey structure under construction along Muhoho Avenue, pancaked early on Friday, January 2, 2026, prompting a massive multi‑agency search and rescue response.
Authorities initially believed four people were trapped in the debris, including two security guards and two passersby who were near the site when the collapse occurred.
Rescue operations were temporarily paused after concerns emerged that a neighbouring building might also be unstable, but efforts have since resumed with specialised teams combing through the rubble.
Sniffer dogs and heavy machinery are being used alongside disaster response units from the National Disaster Management Unit, Kenya Defence Forces, Nairobi Fire Brigade, and the Kenya Red Cross in ongoing recovery attempts.
Public Services CS Geoffrey Ruku says the South C building collapsed at around 4:30 am. He adds that multi-agency teams have been deployed to investigate the cause of the collapse and to determine whether anyone is trapped.
Cause and Concerns
Government officials, including Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, have confirmed preliminary findings that the structure may have been constructed beyond its legally approved floors, potentially breaching safety regulations.
City Hall sources say the building had faced enforcement actions months before the collapse due to multiple compliance violations, intensifying scrutiny over regulatory oversight in Nairobi’s fast‑growing construction sector.
Political Calls and Public Reaction
Leaders have also responded to the tragedy.
Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor (Jalang’o) demanded a halt to all construction activity in South C and nearby wards until full safety audits and compliance checks are completed.
South C MCA Abas Khalif has called for thorough investigations into the collapse and urged measures to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Latest Updates
- Rescue operations continue amid fears that more than one person may still be trapped.
- At least one person who was near the site at the time of the collapse has been treated for injuries at a Nairobi hospital.
Families at the site remain hopeful that authorities will accelerate efforts to locate and rescue their loved ones, as the multi‑agency response teams work under difficult conditions to recover survivors and assess the structural stability of nearby buildings.
