The recovery of a second body from the rubble of the collapsed multi-storey building in Eastleigh, Nairobi, has intensified concerns over the ongoing search-and-rescue operation, as families continue waiting for news of their loved ones who remain missing. The latest development was confirmed by the National Police Service (NPS) on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, after a multi-agency rescue team retrieved the body of a woman from the debris of the collapsed building along 9th Street in Eastleigh.

The recovery marks another painful development in the disaster that has kept residents, families, emergency responders and government officials focused on the search operation for nearly two weeks. According to the National Police Service, four people have so far been rescued alive from the rubble, while two bodies have been recovered since the building collapsed on October 23, 2026. The police have continued supporting the operation alongside other emergency response agencies, with teams working to clear the remaining debris and establish whether more people are still trapped underneath the collapsed structure. In its statement issued on Tuesday, the National Police Service confirmed that the multi-agency team had successfully retrieved a second female body from the site. The announcement came as rescue workers continued dealing with the difficult task of accessing the lower sections of the collapsed building.

The police expressed their condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, acknowledging the pain caused by the tragedy. The Service also wished those who sustained injuries during the incident a quick and full recovery.

The recovery followed the discovery of the first body on Friday, October 30, 2026. The first victim was also a woman, whose body was retrieved after several days of searching through heavy concrete, steel and other construction materials.The tragedy occurred on Friday, October 23, 2026, when a multi-storey building that was still under construction collapsed along 9th Street in Eastleigh, Nairobi.

The building was reportedly an 18-storey structure, although some initial reports gave different descriptions of its height. The collapse caused large amounts of concrete, steel and construction materials to fall onto the lower sections of the structure.

The incident immediately attracted the attention of emergency response teams, police officers, local leaders and residents who rushed to the scene as information emerged that people could be trapped beneath the debris.

The fact that the building collapsed while construction was still underway raised serious concerns about construction safety, supervision and compliance with the required building regulations.Despite the difficult circumstances surrounding the disaster, rescue teams managed to pull four people alive from the rubble during the initial stages of the operation.

The four survivors were among the individuals who had been trapped when the building came down. They were taken for medical attention, with reports indicating that they were transported to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment.

Their rescue demonstrated the importance of coordinated emergency response efforts, specialised equipment and the determination of rescue personnel working under challenging conditions.Rescue operation faces major challenges

One of the biggest challenges facing the emergency responders has been the limited space available at the collapse site.

According to Dr Duncan Ochieng, the Director of the National Disaster Management Unit, the confined working area has made it difficult to deploy all the available excavators simultaneously.

He explained that rescue workers were clearing the debris from a particular section because the space was too restricted for all the heavy machinery to operate safely at once.

Although four excavators had been deployed, only three could operate at the same time, with the remaining machine being rested.The tragedy has left several families experiencing emotional distress as they continue searching for information about relatives who were reportedly inside the building when it collapsed.

Some family members and friends have remained near the disaster scene, waiting for updates from government officials and rescue personnel.

Tents have been set up near the area as relatives continue monitoring the operation, hoping that their loved ones will be found.

The waiting period has been particularly difficult because families have had to deal with uncertainty over whether missing individuals are alive or dead.

Some relatives have also questioned the speed of the rescue operation, arguing that the search should be intensified to reach those still believed to be beneath the rubble.The number of people believed to be missing following the collapse has remained an important issue during the rescue operation.

Earlier reports indicated that approximately 16 people were unaccounted for. A subsequent update referred to a reduction to 11 following verification efforts.

However, Dr Duncan Ochieng later indicated that the number still being considered missing remained 16, highlighting the difficulties involved in establishing an accurate list of everyone who may have been inside the building.

The Kenya Red Cross and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have been involved in verification efforts to establish the identities and whereabouts of the missing individuals.

Nairobi North County Commissioner Simon Osumba also indicated that investigators had used mobile phone data to establish that nine of the missing individuals were at the building shortly before the collapse.Confusion over the number of missing people

The number of people believed to be missing following the collapse has remained an important issue during the rescue operation.

Earlier reports indicated that approximately 16 people were unaccounted for. A subsequent update referred to a reduction to 11 following verification efforts.

Following the recovery of the second body, the National Police Service appealed to members of the public to avoid gathering near the affected building.

The Service explained that keeping people away would allow emergency responders, specialised equipment and rescue personnel to continue working without unnecessary interference.

The operation involves heavy machinery, police officers, disaster management teams and other specialised personnel who require sufficient space to conduct their work.

Members of the public have therefore been urged to cooperate with security officers and follow instructions issued by emergency response agencies.The Eastleigh building collapse has renewed debate about the enforcement of construction standards in Nairobi and other rapidly growing urban centres.

The tragedy has highlighted the importance of ensuring that buildings under construction meet approved engineering standards and undergo proper inspections.

Construction projects must be supervised by qualified professionals, while developers are expected to obtain the necessary approvals before undertaking building works.

The incident has also raised questions about how construction projects that allegedly violate regulations continue operating despite enforcement measures.

Investigations into the Eastleigh collapse will be important in establishing whether the tragedy resulted from structural weaknesses, poor construction practices, inadequate supervision or other failures.As of November 3, the recovery of the second female body marked another significant development in the search operation that began following the October 23 collapse.

Four people had been rescued alive, while two bodies had been recovered from the rubble.

However, the search for other people believed to have been trapped continued, with multi-agency teams working to clear the remaining debris.

The rescue teams face the difficult task of accessing restricted sections of the collapsed structure while ensuring that their operations do not expose personnel to additional risks.