Families cling to hope as search continues at collapsed Eastleigh building

A Kenya Red Cross officer seen walking at the scene of collapsed building in Eastleigh , Nairobi. Photo: Red Cross Families of 47 people still reported missing following the collapse of a building in Eastleigh, Nairobi, endured another day of uncertainty on Monday as search and rescue operations entered their fourth day.

No further rescues had been reported despite intensified efforts to reach those believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.

At the scene, relatives kept vigil as excavators cleared debris, hoping for news of their loved ones more than 70 hours after the building collapsed on Friday.

Robai Windo, whose relative is among those missing, said the family had spent the night waiting, encouraged by assurances that rescuers were making progress.

“Jana tunaambiwa wanaendelea, tumekaa hapa usiku, asubuhi imefika bado hatumwoni. Tulikuwa tumepata hope kwamba atapatikana,” she said.

For Thomas Alute, the wait has left him struggling to reassure other family members who are relying on him for updates.

“Tuna hofu, tumebeba matumaini ya jamii. Hatujui hali yake iko aje, tuko njia panda,” he said.

Relatives appealed to the government to intensify rescue efforts, expressing concern about the conditions beneath the debris and whether those trapped could access air.

Windo said watching the excavators work had become increasingly distressing as the hours passed without news.

Alute echoed her concerns, saying the families remained fearful about the fate of those still missing.

“Hofu imetutanda, hatujui maisha ya watu wetu iko aje kule chini,” he said.

Charles Owino, speaking on the rescue operation, said teams had cleared approximately 50 per cent of the debris. The number of people reported missing remained at 47.

Meanwhile, the building’s owner remained at large as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to conduct a comprehensive probe into the collapse.

The investigation is expected to establish possible criminal liability and identify those who should face prosecution.

Owino said questions surrounding the building’s approvals had also been referred to the DCI.

As the operation continued, families remained at the scene, waiting for rescuers to reach their loved ones and hoping they would be found alive.

©Citizen Digital, Kenya