Four dead, four rescued after Shauri Moyo building collapse during demolition attempt

In a press statement dated Monday, March 16, 2026, the ministry said search and rescue operations were underway after the structure, located in Kamukunji Sub-County, gave way earlier in the day.

The ministry said the building was among those earmarked for removal under the ongoing Nairobi River Regeneration Project, being implemented by the Nairobi Rivers Commission.

The ministry said reports indicated some individuals may have been trapped in the collapsed structure.

It said the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the National Police Service, National Government Administrative Officers and the Kenya Red Cross were deployed to the scene and rescue operations are ongoing.

In a later update, the ministry said four people have been rescued, one of whom sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital.

It also said four fatalities had been recorded, adding that the number of people who may still be trapped remains unknown.

The update said the victims were removing steel bars and other construction materials from the abandoned structure when it gave way.

The Office of the County Commissioner, Nairobi North, said it is monitoring the situation and will issue updates as rescue and assessment operations continue. Members of the public have been urged to keep off the affected area to allow emergency teams to operate without obstruction.