Police Call Off Eastleigh Building Search as Three People Remain Missing

Police and multi-agency emergency teams have officially called off the search and rescue operation at the collapsed building in Eastleigh, Nairobi, after 15 days, leaving three people initially reported missing still unaccounted for.

The operation, which began following the collapse of the 18-storey building along 9th Street on October 23, 2026, resulted in the recovery of eight bodies and the rescue of four people alive.

Nairobi North County Commissioner Simon Osumba announced the end of the exercise on Friday, November 6, saying rescue teams had accessed and searched all the basement compartments of the collapsed structure.

He said no additional bodies were recovered during the final day of the operation.

Three people remain unaccounted for

Despite extensive searches involving several emergency response agencies, three people initially reported missing have not been located.

Authorities said the cases would now be handled as missing-person reports, with the National Police Service expected to take over follow-up investigations and continue engaging the affected families.

The announcement brings an end to the physical search operation, but uncertainty remains for families still waiting for information about their missing relatives.

Of the eight bodies recovered, six were women and two were men. Some of the remains were severely decomposed, making formal identification difficult.

DNA testing underway as families await answers

The recovered bodies have been taken to Nairobi City Mortuary, where post-mortem examinations and DNA testing are underway to establish their identities.

The identification process is expected to help authorities notify families and facilitate the release of the remains for burial.

Nairobi City County Government has pledged to support affected families by covering DNA testing, burial and transportation expenses, as well as mortuary-related costs.

The Kenya Red Cross has also established a support centre at the mortuary to assist families through the identification and post-recovery process.

Multi-agency teams conclude challenging operation

The recovery exercise involved several government agencies and humanitarian organisations, including the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), National Youth Service (NYS), National Disaster Management Unit, National Disaster Operations Centre, Nairobi City County Government and the Kenya Red Cross.

Rescue teams faced significant challenges because of the scale of the collapse, the large volume of concrete and debris, and the confined working spaces within the building's basement sections.

Authorities described the operation as particularly difficult because of the height of the structure and the need to protect emergency responders and neighbouring communities during the recovery exercise.

Site to be secured as businesses prepare to reopen

Following the conclusion of the search, authorities announced plans to begin clearing debris and gradually reopen access to the affected area.

The building site will remain cordoned off to prevent unauthorised entry and protect the public from potential structural hazards.

The property owner is expected to fence off the site using iron sheets as debris removal continues. Authorities have also called for inspections of neighbouring buildings to establish whether the collapse caused structural damage.

The reopening of access roads is expected to allow traders and businesses in the surrounding area to resume operations after more than two weeks of disruption.

Investigations into building collapse continue

The conclusion of the rescue operation shifts attention to investigations into what caused the deadly collapse and whether construction regulations were followed.

The incident has renewed concerns about building approvals, construction supervision and enforcement of safety standards in Nairobi.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja previously raised questions about the building's construction approvals, prompting further scrutiny of the circumstances under which the structure was developed and occupied.

Investigations are expected to establish whether the developer, contractors, construction professionals or relevant regulatory authorities bear responsibility for the tragedy.