Families Urge Faster Rescue Efforts After South C Building Collapse
News Updated: 03 January 2026 17:12 EAT
Building that collapsed in south C on Friday
Families of the two men believed to be trapped under the rubble of the collapsed South C building have made urgent appeals to the government to speed up search and rescue operations, as emergency crews continue working against time. Relatives of the missing, who travelled from Moyale, described the wait as agonising and called for the rapid deployment of heavy equipment and specialised personnel to reach their loved ones.
The building, a 14‑storey structure that suffered a catastrophic pancake‑type collapse early Friday, prompted a multi‑agency response involving the National Disaster Management Unit, Kenya Defence Forces, Nairobi Fire Brigade and Kenya Red Cross. Authorities confirmed the collapse occurred around 4:30 a.m. along Kiganjo Muhoho Avenue in South C, triggering immediate rescue efforts.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku stated that two people are now believed trapped beneath the debris, a revision from earlier reports that cited up to four missing. The update came after reviewing CCTV footage and on-site evidence.
The missing men have been identified as security guards Ali Adan Galgallo and Hassan Bulleh Huqa, both in their late twenties and from the Gabra community in Moyale. Relatives said the men were on duty at the building when it collapsed and have not been heard from since.
Families and community leaders have appealed to rescuers to intensify operations, urging the use of cranes and additional manpower to lift debris efficiently. Marsabit Senator Mohamed Said Chute thanked responders but stressed the urgency of locating survivors quickly.
Nairobi City County noted the challenges of coordinating debris removal with search efforts and has established a command centre to synchronise the operations of county and national teams.
Investigators are looking into possible regulatory failings linked to the collapse. The National Construction Authority and city officials confirmed the building had faced previous compliance enforcement actions, heightening pressure for accountability as rescue operations proceed.
As operations continue into the weekend, families remain at the site, hoping for news of their loved ones, highlighting both the human cost of the disaster and broader concerns about construction safety in Nairobi’s rapidly expanding urban areas.
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD