At least four people have been confirmed dead after a building collapsed at Blue Estate in Shauri Moyo during an attempted demolition exercise along the Nairobi River riparian corridor.
In a statement issued on Monday, March 16, 2026, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration said the structure gave way earlier in the day, triggering an emergency response from multiple government agencies.
Victims Were Salvaging Materials
According to authorities, the victims were reportedly removing steel bars and other construction materials from the abandoned building when it suddenly collapsed.
The building had been marked for demolition as part of the ongoing Nairobi River Regeneration Project being spearheaded by the Nairobi Rivers Commission.
Initial reports indicated that several individuals could have been trapped under the debris, prompting urgent search and rescue operations.
Multi-Agency Rescue Operation
Emergency response teams were swiftly deployed to the scene, including:
- Kenya Defence Forces
- National Police Service
- National Government Administrative Officers
- Kenya Red Cross
In a later update, authorities confirmed that four people had been rescued, with one sustaining minor injuries and taken to hospital for treatment.
Fatalities Confirmed, Search Ongoing
The Ministry confirmed that four fatalities had been recorded following the collapse. However, the exact number of individuals who may still be trapped remains unclear.
Rescue teams continue to comb through the rubble as efforts intensify to account for all individuals believed to have been inside the structure at the time of the incident.
Public Urged to Stay Away
The Office of the County Commissioner Nairobi North said it is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates as operations progress.
Members of the public have been urged to keep off the affected area to allow emergency personnel to carry out their work without interference.
Rising Safety Concerns
The incident has once again raised concerns over public safety during demolition exercises and the risks associated with scavenging materials from condemned buildings.
Authorities are expected to conduct further investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collapse.
