One person has been confirmed dead and four others remain trapped after a three-story building collapsed in Gitaru Village, Kabete, Kiambu County.
The collapse occurred around 4:30pm. Reports indicate the building was being demolished to pave way for the for the construction of the interchange at Gitaru.
Rescue operations are underway as emergency services including the Red Cross being dispatched to the scene.
Early reports suggest that the five victims were inside the building when it crumbled to the ground, raising urgent concerns about the structural integrity of local buildings amid recent heavy rains.
Kenya Red Cross is reporting no deaths.
This tragic event marks the second building collapse in Kiambu County within the past two months.
In April, a perimeter wall in Ruaka collapsed, resulting in one fatality and injuring three others. The recurrence of such incidents has sparked widespread alarm and calls for heightened vigilance and scrutiny regarding building safety standards.
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi issued an immediate order for all tenants in the affected plot to evacuate their homes. "No one will live in these houses until we complete investigations and approve that the houses are safe for people to live in them. We have given you two hours to take important items from your houses. We will then seal the houses," Wamatangi stated emphatically.
The prolonged rains that have battered Kenya in recent weeks have been cited as a significant factor contributing to the structural failures.
Heavy floods have caused widespread damage across Nairobi and the neighbouring counties of Kiambu and Machakos, exacerbating the risks posed by poorly constructed buildings.
Just earlier this month, another building collapse was reported on Naivasha Road. Fortunately, preliminary reports indicated that all tenants were accounted for, except for two residents – a minor and an adult.
The frequent occurrences of such collapses are alarming, prompting demands for more rigorous construction regulations and enforcement.
The National Construction Authority had issued a warning of building collapses due to the heavy rains that have been pounding the country.
