Tragedy struck at Tsavo Fedha Estate in Embakasi, Nairobi, after a young man lost his life in a freak accident while playfully sliding down a staircase rail.
The viral CCTV footage that has shocked Kenyans shows the youth, casually dressed in a white t-shirt, black shorts and black sneakers, holding two containers in one hand as he descended from the 11th floor. A young woman, in a black sweatshirt and baggy white trousers, followed him closely, only to be left horrified as the playful act turned fatal.
Moments later, he attempted to slide on the rail but lost balance and plummeted, dying instantly upon impact.
The heartbreaking footage triggered a flood of reactions online, with many lamenting the sudden and senseless nature of the tragedy.
“May he rest in peace and God fill his family with strength and hope during this difficult time,” wrote Edward Ekiru on X.
Another user, Wacira K, observed: “He should have dropped whatever he was holding to grab the rail and support himself. Whatever he was holding wasn’t worth more than his life.”
Mwakina simply noted the fragility of life: “Crazy things. How life ends so fast without alerts.”
Others raised concerns about safety in high-rise apartments, calling for better protective measures. “People who are building tall residential should start adopting this security measure now. Anti-fall protection net or a well done grill will help. Most residential are not even safe for children,” wrote Anyuola, attaching a picture of an anti-fall net.
The accident comes barely days after another young man, 25-year-old Owen Kiptoo, died in a separate fall in Tassia, Nairobi. According to police, Kiptoo fell from a kitchen balcony while trying to access an apartment on September 12, 2025. He had accompanied a woman, believed to be the house owner, after spending the evening with friends at a nearby bar.
The woman reportedly misplaced her keys, prompting Kiptoo to attempt entry through the kitchen door, a decision that tragically cost him his life. Police later detained her and two other individuals after discovering the house was in disarray, investigating whether foul play was involved.
