Two rescued after Nairobi building collapse, with five still missing

Two individuals were rescued alive from the debris of a building that collapsed in Nairobi, Kenya, while rescue efforts continue for five people still unaccounted for. Footage captured the bottom floor giving way before the remainder of the structure crumbled, sending a cloud of dust into the streets on Friday. Dozens of builders were working on the upper stories when the collapse occurred, but they emerged largely unharmed.

The missing individuals were believed to have been in shops located at the base of the building. Authorities have launched a manhunt for the building's owner and the contractor responsible for the site. On Saturday, police confirmed that they had rescued two people from the rubble, who were subsequently taken to a hospital. According to Kenya's Interior Ministry, 66 out of the 67 construction workers present at the time of the collapse escaped unharmed, with only one individual suffering non-life-threatening injuries.

The incident has reignited debates about construction standards and regulations in Kenya. Police stated that they have identified the company responsible for the development, as well as the architect and structural engineer, but emphasized that the investigation will determine whether any negligence or violation of building codes occurred.

The collapse took place on Friday afternoon while the building was still under construction, and footage showed scaffolding still attached to the exterior of the structure. Questions remain regarding the cause of the sudden collapse and whether the building complied with necessary planning regulations. The National Construction Authority has stated that they have identified the development company, architect, and structural engineer involved, but did not disclose whether they had conducted an inspection prior to the incident.

Nairobi Governor, Sakaja Johnson, noted that the building owners lacked the necessary documentation to occupy the property. He called for the national government to empower local authorities to penalize developers who disregard approved building plans and safety standards. Kenya has a history of building collapses, often attributed to poor construction practices or inadequate planning.