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One body has been recovered from the rubble of a 14-storey building that collapsed in South C on Friday morning, as multi-agency rescue teams continue search operations.
The body was retrieved on Sunday at around 1.30 pm, marking the third day of search and rescue efforts at the scene. Officials said rescuers are still hopeful of locating a second body believed to be trapped beneath the debris.
Assistant Inspector General of Police Dr Duncan Ochieng, who is the operations commander at the site, told journalists earlier on Sunday that the search operation was approximately 65 per cent complete. He added that investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing.
Police have already questioned several individuals in connection with the incident, including the building’s developer and county officials. According to investigators, the developers informed police that the apartments had already been sold to prospective buyers.
Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said the building collapsed at about 4.05 am on January 2, 2026, in the South C Shopping Centre area. He noted that a multi-agency emergency response was immediately activated under the leadership of the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU).
Ruku said the NDMU Director, Dr Ochieng, is serving as the Incident Commander, with a fully operational Incident Command System established at the site. He explained that rescue teams are working round the clock using specialised equipment and urban search and rescue techniques to maximise chances of saving lives.
“The incident management team is working day and night, deploying specialised skills, equipment and proven urban search and rescue techniques, while taking full advantage of the golden rescue window associated with building collapse incidents,” Ruku said.
He outlined four key government priorities: ensuring the safety of first responders and the public, conducting search and rescue operations for suspected victims, reopening blocked roads and restoring normalcy around South C Shopping Centre, and clearing debris once rescue efforts are concluded.
Ruku cautioned the public against speculation, clarifying that the structure was a 14-storey building with basement parking that suffered a complete pancake-style collapse. He said the cause of the collapse has not yet been established.
A multi-sectoral team comprising the National Police Service, National Construction Authority, National Building Inspectorate, Engineers Board of Kenya, BORAQS, NEMA and Nairobi City County Government has been tasked with investigating the incident.
“Any person or group of people found culpable will be held fully accountable in accordance with the laws of Kenya,” Ruku said.
He also commended emergency responders from the National Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces Disaster Response Battalion, Nairobi City County, National Youth Service, Kenya Red Cross, St John Ambulance and other agencies for working under hazardous conditions to manage the disaster.
