six injured as Kirinyaga Rd building collapses
At least six workers were injured after a building under construction collapsed at the busy intersection of Racecourse and Kirinyaga Road in Nairobi in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The incident, which occurred at around 4 am on February 11, 2026, has once again raised concerns over construction safety standards within the city. According to police reports, the building gave way while workers were still on site carrying out nighttime construction activities.
Central Police Commander Stephene Nyakombo confirmed that 18 workers were present when the structure suddenly collapsed. Emergency responders were immediately dispatched to the scene following distress calls from the area.
“We have successfully rescued and accounted for all the workers. Out of the 18, six sustained injuries, while the rest were rescued unharmed,” Nyakombo said.
One of the injured workers suffered serious wounds and was rushed to hospital for urgent medical attention. The other injured individuals were treated for varying degrees of injuries. Authorities have not yet released their identities as investigations continue.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as the structure came down, trapping several workers beneath debris. Rescue teams, including police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel, worked tirelessly to pull the workers from the rubble. The area was quickly cordoned off to allow rescue operations to proceed without interference and to prevent members of the public from accessing the dangerous site.
Nyakombo stated that all workers have since been accounted for, easing fears that anyone could still be trapped under the debris. However, questions are now being raised about why construction was ongoing at such an early hour and whether proper safety guidelines were followed.
“We will seek answers from among the county officials,” Nyakombo added, noting that investigations are underway to determine how and why nighttime construction was taking place.
Officials are expected to examine whether the developer had the necessary approvals, whether the structure met required building standards, and whether there was any negligence involved. Structural engineers and county enforcement officers are likely to assess the site to establish the exact cause of the collapse.
The latest Nairobi building collapse comes less than a month after another structure under construction caved in within the South C area, killing two people. That tragic incident sparked renewed debate over the enforcement of construction regulations and the growing number of unsafe buildings in the capital.
Over the years, Nairobi has witnessed several cases of buildings collapsing, often attributed to poor workmanship, substandard materials, weak foundations, or failure to follow approved building plans. Urban growth and high demand for commercial and residential space have led to a surge in construction projects across the city.
Residents and stakeholders are now calling on county authorities to strengthen inspections and enforce stricter compliance measures to prevent further tragedies. As investigations into the Racecourse and Kirinyaga Road collapse continue, many are hoping that accountability and tougher oversight will help improve building safety standards in Nairobi.
six injured as Kirinyaga Rd building collapses
