Nairobi, Kenya — Authorities have identified a building adjacent to the 14-storey structure that collapsed in South C on Friday, January 2, 2026, as a high-risk structure, potentially compromised by vibrations and impact from the early-morning collapse.
Southern Borough Manager Dabasso Wario said that specialized monitoring equipment, including theodolite and laser instruments, has been deployed within the cold zone to continuously track signs of wall tilting, leaning columns, crack widening, floor sagging, vertical and horizontal angular deviations, alignment shifts, tilts, and ground subsidence as rescue operations continue.
Two people, both security guards, are believed to be trapped under the rubble.
“Emergency response and rescue operations are underway, supported by equipment from Nairobi City County, one excavator from the National Youth Service (NYS), the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Disaster Response Battalion, and the Nairobi Fire Brigade, who are jointly managing the operations,” Wario said.
A command centre has been established at the scene, with debris removal proceeding in parallel with the primary search phase. The Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team remains on site with specialized tools and equipment to aid ongoing rescue efforts.
Wario also noted that the collapsed site had previously been subject to enforcement action by Nairobi City County Government (NCCG) on multiple occasions in May, July, and December 2025 over various infractions.
Investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing. Authorities have emphasized that safety monitoring of the adjacent building will remain a priority until the site is fully secured.
