Authorities confirmed the recovery as emergency teams continued delicate operations at the highly unstable site, located near South C Shopping Centre and Nairobi South Hospital.
The building collapsed in the early hours of Friday morning, triggering one of the most complex urban rescue missions in recent years.
Speaking to journalists at the scene, Incident Commander and Director of the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU), Duncan Onyango Ochieng, said the operation had recorded significant progress despite the high risks involved.
He commended the multi-agency Urban Search and Rescue teams for their professionalism and endurance, noting that responders have been working around the clock since the collapse occurred.
Ochieng warned that the rescue site remains highly hazardous due to continuous debris movement, exposed metallic materials, and the ongoing use of heavy machinery.
A disaster risk assessment conducted on Sunday morning identified elevated danger levels within the active rescue zone.
As a result, authorities restricted access to the site, urging members of the public and unauthorised personnel to stay away unless equipped with appropriate personal protective gear, including helmets, eye protection, and ear protection.
“The safety of responders and the public remains our top priority. The area has been clearly demarcated, and we urge everyone to strictly observe the safety boundaries,” Ochieng said.
The update comes amid continued efforts to locate one person who is still believed to be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
On Saturday, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Geoffrey Ruku said there was reason to believe that two individuals may have been alive inside the building following the collapse.
Although one body has now been recovered, rescue teams continue to focus on the possibility that one survivor may still be reachable within remaining voids created by the debris.
“Our teams are applying specialised rescue techniques and advanced equipment to maximise the chances of locating the remaining victim,” Ochieng said, while extending condolences to affected families.
The 14-storey building, which included a basement parking area, collapsed at around 4:05am on Friday.
Although one body has now been recovered, rescue teams continue to focus on the possibility that one survivor may still be reachable within remaining voids created by the debris.
“Our teams are applying specialised rescue techniques and advanced equipment to maximise the chances of locating the remaining victim,” Ochieng said, while extending condolences to affected families.
The 14-storey building, which included a basement parking area, collapsed at around 4:05am on Friday.
The government has described the incident as a pancake-type collapse, where floors fall directly onto one another, compressing debris and significantly complicating rescue operations.
Such collapses reduce survivable air pockets, making rescue efforts both technically demanding and time-sensitive.
A multi-agency emergency response was activated immediately after the incident, led by the NDMU under the Incident Command System.
Such collapses reduce survivable air pockets, making rescue efforts both technically demanding and time-sensitive.
A multi-agency emergency response was activated immediately after the incident, led by the NDMU under the Incident Command System.
Teams on the ground include the Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Red Cross, National Police Service, Nairobi County Disaster Response Unit, and other specialised rescue agencies.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the collapse is ongoing. A multi-sectoral team comprising the National Construction Authority (NCA), Engineers Board of Kenya, Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Nairobi City County, and the National Police Service has been formed.
The NCA has already indicated that the building was non-compliant at the time of collapse, while Nairobi City County confirmed it had issued three violation notices to the developer.
Preliminary assessments suggest the structure failed layer by layer, raising serious concerns about construction standards, approvals, and enforcement.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation, particularly on social media, and to rely on official updates as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the collapse is ongoing. A multi-sectoral team comprising the National Construction Authority (NCA), Engineers Board of Kenya, Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS), National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Nairobi City County, and the National Police Service has been formed.
The NCA has already indicated that the building was non-compliant at the time of collapse, while Nairobi City County confirmed it had issued three violation notices to the developer.
Preliminary assessments suggest the structure failed layer by layer, raising serious concerns about construction standards, approvals, and enforcement.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation, particularly on social media, and to rely on official updates as investigations continue.
Structural assessments of neighbouring buildings are also underway to ensure public safety.
Rescue operations are expected to continue until all suspected victims are accounted for and the site is declared safe.
Rescue operations are expected to continue until all suspected victims are accounted for and the site is declared safe.