Two rescued from Eastleigh rubble as police hunt building owner and contractor

Two survivors have been rescued from the rubble of the 18-storey building under construction that collapsed on 9th Street in Nairobi’s Eastleigh on Friday, and rushed to hospital, Kenya’s National Police Service (NPS) said in a statement on Saturday. The search continues. (https://thekenyatimes.com/latest-kenya-times-news/two-survivors-rescued-from-collapsed-eastleigh-building-as-kdf-takes-over-high-stakes-rescue-mission/)

Police have launched a manhunt for the building’s owner and contractor; their identities have not been disclosed. An investigation into the cause of the collapse and whether building regulations were violated is under way, and the NPS warned it will take legal action against anyone found responsible for negligence. (https://thekenyatimes.com/latest-kenya-times-news/two-survivors-rescued-from-collapsed-eastleigh-building-as-kdf-takes-over-high-stakes-rescue-mission/)

Separately, the Kenya Red Cross said on Saturday it has recorded 31 missing-person cases, with two people already reunited with their families. Disaster Officer Vincent Ochieng stressed the 31 are reports still being verified, as some reported missing may have left the site before the collapse; the reunions are a tracing result, distinct from the two rescues. (https://peopledaily.digital/news/eastleigh-building-collapse-kenya-red-cross-records-31-missing-person-cases)

Friday’s official account from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen differs: all 67 construction workers were accounted for, 66 unhurt and one in hospital in stable condition, while 11 ground-floor and basement shops were occupied, seven people were reported missing, and contact had been made with some trapped. (https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/nairobi/67-workers-accounted-for-seven-people-missing-5643764)

The operation now involves the Kenya Defence Forces, the Kenya Red Cross and Nairobi City County teams, with excavators and canine units deployed. Police urged the public to avoid Yusuf Haji Avenue and 9th Street, and asked families to report to the Red Cross desk at the scene or call 1199. (https://thekenyatimes.com/latest-kenya-times-news/two-survivors-rescued-from-collapsed-eastleigh-building-as-kdf-takes-over-high-stakes-rescue-mission/)