More than 30 people could be trapped in the Eastleigh building that collapsed while still under construction in Eestleigh’s 9th Street on October 23, 2026.
Authorities say 32 of the 52 cases that were reported to the Kenya Red Cross Society tracing desk have been closed.
This comes as the search for people who were suspected to be at the building that collapsed on Friday afternoon has now narrowed down to 20, as the rescue operation entered day six.
According to Duncan Ochieng, Director of the National Disaster Management Unit, the operation has faced several challenges, including underground sewer lines and water systems, as well as concerns over the safety of rescue personnel.
Two is about the safety of the responders. Based on the structural collapse, we have been keenly monitoring so that we don’t endanger the lives of our responders,” he said.
The multi-agency team says it has maintained a 24-hour presence at the Eastleigh site, with about 65 per cent of the work completed.
Ochieng urged members of the public to remain patient and avoid actions that could jeopardise the ongoing operation.
“What we are doing here is based on international standards. The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group is keenly watching our activities and they are giving us some technical advice on what to do.
The team is now working with the Kenya Red Cross and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to trace the missing individuals, including using phone signals to help determine whether they were at the scene at the time of the collapse.
Families have been urged to provide accurate identification details and contact information to support the tracing process.
