Nairobi, Kenya – Tuesday, October 7, 2025 — Tragedy has struck Emmanuel New Life Academy in Kayole, Nairobi, after debris from a neighbouring construction site collapsed onto the school, killing two pupils and leaving two others critically injured.
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, moments before the pupils were set to break for lunch.
According to witnesses, a wall from the adjacent building site suddenly gave way, sending rubble crashing into the school compound and trapping several children.
“We just heard a loud crash, and moments later, people started screaming for help. Children were crying everywhere,” said one eyewitness at the scene.
Emergency Response and Rescue Efforts
Residents and emergency responders rushed to the scene, where they managed to pull the pupils from the debris. Sadly, two of the children were pronounced dead on arrival, while the other two were rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in critical condition.
Nairobi County police officers have cordoned off the area, and rescue teams are working with local authorities to assess the structural integrity of the neighbouring construction site.
Investigations Launched
Police have opened an investigation into the cause of the collapse, with early reports suggesting that the building site may have violated safety and construction standards.
Officials from the National Construction Authority (NCA) and Nairobi County Government are expected to visit the site to determine whether the developer had adhered to approved regulations.
“We will not allow developers to put lives at risk through negligence or poor construction practices,” said a senior Nairobi County official.
Parents and Community in Shock
Parents and community members gathered at the scene expressed anger and grief, demanding accountability and immediate closure of unsafe construction sites near schools and residential areas.
“Our children were in class — a place that’s supposed to be safe. Someone must answer for this,” said a parent in tears.
