South C building collapse: Gov't clarifies two people trapped as rescue operation continues

The government has clarified that not four people but two individuals are suspected to be trapped in the building that collapsed in South C, Nairobi, and that authorities believe they may still be alive, a factor that continues to drive intensive rescue efforts.

In a press briefing issued on Saturday, Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said the building collapse occurred at around 4.05am on January 2, 2026, at the South C Shopping Centre area.

He expressed the government’s concern and solidarity with all those affected by the incident, noting that immediately after receiving the report, a multi-agency emergency response under the leadership of the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) was activated.

CS Ruku noted that NDMU Director Dr Duncan Ochieng is serving as the Incident Commander, with a fully operational Incident Command System already in place at the scene.

“The incident management team is working day and night, deploying specialised skills, equipment, and proven urban search and rescue techniques, while taking full advantage of the golden rescue window associated with building collapse incidents,” he said.

“I want to assure the nation that the Government is sparing no effort, no resources, and no expertise in this operation.”

CS Ruku noted that the government response is focused on four key objectives: ensuring the safety of first responders and the public, conducting search and rescue operations for suspected victims, opening blocked roads and restoring normalcy around South C Shopping Centre, and carrying out debris clearance once rescue priorities allow.

He also cautioned against speculative information circulating in the media and on social platforms, clarifying that the collapsed structure is a 14-storey building with a basement parking that suffered a complete pancake-type collapse.

He however went ahead to note that the cause of the collapse has not yet been established., and that investigations have been launched by a multi-sectoral team comprising agencies including the National Police Service, National Construction Authority, National Building Inspectorate, Engineers Board of Kenya, BORAQS, NEMA and Nairobi City County Government, among others.

“Any person or group of people found culpable will be held fully accountable in accordance with the laws of Kenya,” he stated.

On the rescue operation, the CS confirmed: “Based on information available at the Incident Command Post, there are two reports of persons suspected to have been trapped inside the collapsed building. There is reason to believe they may still be alive, and this belief continues to strongly inform and motivate the ongoing intensive rescue efforts.”

He further warned that the structural integrity of an adjacent building had not yet been confirmed, urging the public to keep off the incident area until official guidance is issued.

The CS commended emergency responders drawn from the National Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces Disaster Response Battalion, Nairobi City County, National Youth Service, Kenya Red Cross, St John Ambulance and other agencies, saying they continue to work under hazardous conditions in service to the nation.

He added that the government will issue official updates daily at 9am and 4pm, urging the public and the media to rely only on verified government communication channels as rescue operations continue.

“Finally, I wish to reaffirm that the government remains fully present, fully committed, and firmly at the frontline of this response. The safety of our people, the rescue or recovery of the suspected victims, and accountability for this incident remain our highest priorities,” he said.