Interior ministry confirms four deaths in Shauri Moyo building collapse
By Faith Lagat, March 16, 2026The Ministry of Interior and National Administration has confirmed that four people died after a building collapsed in Blue Estate, Shauri Moyo, Kamukunji Sub-County, on Monday, March 16, 2026.
In a news update issued on X, the ministry said the building collapsed during an attempted demolition along the Nairobi River riparian corridor under the Nairobi River Regeneration Project.
The update, signed by Nairobi North County Commissioner Simon Osumba, stated that the victims were removing steel bars and other construction materials from the abandoned structure when it gave way.
“Four people have been rescued so far, one of whom sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital. Four fatalities have also been recorded,” the statement read.
Rescue operation underway
Search and rescue operations are ongoing at the site as authorities work to determine whether more people could still be trapped under the debris.
A multi-agency team comprising the Kenya Defence Forces, the National Police Service, the Kenya Red Cross and several non-governmental organisations has been deployed to support the rescue efforts.
According to the Ministry, the number of individuals who may still be trapped in the collapsed building remains unknown. The Office of the Nairobi North County Commissioner said it continues to monitor the situation as rescue teams comb through the rubble.
Red Cross reports early rescue efforts
According to the Kenya Red Cross, search and rescue operations at the Shauri Moyo building collapse have been concluded, with all individuals involved in the incident accounted for.
“Final Update. Search and rescue operations have been concluded after all individuals involved in the incident were accounted for,” read the Kenya Red Cross X post.
Red Cross had earlier reported that several people were near the structure at the time of the collapse. Emergency teams rushed to the scene shortly after the incident and began clearing debris in search of survivors.
First aid was administered to some of the rescued individuals at the scene before they were transferred to the hospital for further treatment.
The humanitarian agency said the building was located close to structures that were already being demolished as part of the Nairobi River regeneration exercise.
Demolition linked to river project
The collapse occurred during an ongoing demolition exercise targeting structures built along the Nairobi River riparian corridor.
The Nairobi River Regeneration Project aims to clear encroachments along the river, reduce pollution and restore the waterway. Authorities say some abandoned structures within the corridor have been marked for demolition as part of the project.
Officials said further updates will be issued as search and rescue operations continue and more details about the incident emerge.