By Hassan Wekesa - Editor
Kenya, 4 January 2026 - One body was on Sunday retrieved from the debris of a storey building that collapsed on Friday in the early hours in the Shopping Centre area of South C, Nairobi County.
The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) personnel have left the disaster scene with the body in a police vehicle registration GKB 978S.
On the day the tragedy struck KRCS confirmed the incident on social media platform X, stating, “Early this morning (Friday), a building under construction collapsed in the Shopping Centre area of South C, Nairobi County. A multi-agency response team is on site managing the situation.”
A joint emergency team, including the National Disaster Management Unit, Nairobi City County, the National Police Service, the Military, and the Kenya Red Cross, was deployed to the scene immediately.
The area was cordoned off to support ongoing rescue and evaluation work.
Excavators were deployed at the site, and responders used torches on Friday evening, indicating that rescue efforts continued through the night and have persisted since.
Police confirmed that one pedestrian was injured and hospitalised.
By Sunday, the rescue operation had entered its third day, with efforts now focused on locating the remaining missing person. Assistant Inspector General of Police Dr Duncan Ochieng, who is the operations commander, said the search operation was about 65% complete.
On Saturday, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital and Special Programmes Geoffrey Ruku announced that, after reviewing CCTV footage, the number of people believed to have been trapped had been revised downwards from four to two.
“Experts have reviewed the CCTV footage properly and the number of people trapped inside the debris of the building is two people,” CS Ruku said.
The two individuals were security guards on duty at the site, and it is understood they were on the third floor when the collapse occurred.
Earlier reports had suggested four people were trapped, but it is now clear that only the two guards were inside.
A family from Mukuru said one of the security guards is their son.
While remaining optimistic that he would be found alive, they argued that, in the event of death, they should be given the body for a decent burial according to Islamic rites.
The building was approved for 10 storeys, with some sources indicating it was meant to reach 12 floors.
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However, it collapsed while at 14 storeys, with construction ongoing for an additional 15th storey.
The owner, or one of the owners, was identified as Yussuf Mohamed Yussuf, and the project was undertaken by Abyan Consulting Limited.
The National Construction Authority (NCA) confirmed that the project had flouted regulations.
Mid-year in 2025, three people were arrested in connection with the matter but were later released after each paying KSh 20,000.
On Saturday, one of the owners surrendered to the authorities and recorded a statement.
On the day of the collapse, CS Ruku stated that proper investigations would be conducted and those found culpable would face the law.
Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, alias Jalang'o, disclosed that residents of South C have sent at least 43 letters to the Nairobi County Government, urging a crackdown on rogue realtors and investors who flout construction rules and procedures.
“As residents we have written 43 letters to Nairobi County government to have constructors adhere to building regulations,” Mr Odiwuor said.
The legislator expressed regret that most flats in South C become fully occupied within a year or even six months, raising serious safety concerns.
Mr Odiwour on Saturday returned to the site and urged the owners of parcels of land in Nairobi to invest carefully.
"We know you have money. Once you want to build a flat , follow due diligence and take your time," the legislator said.
With one body recovered, rescue teams remain determined to find the second victim as the operation continues.
South C Building Collapse: One Body Recovered As Search Continues
Rescue Teams Search for Second Guard in Nairobi Building Collapse
