Rescue efforts are underway in Nairobi after a 16-story building under construction collapsed on Friday, leaving at least four people trapped, according to Kenyan authorities. The incident occurred in the South C area of the capital, where a multi-agency response team is managing the situation.
The building had been approved for a maximum of 12 floors but had already reached 14 floors at the time of collapse. Preliminary investigations suggest that the building collapsed due to column overload. Geoffrey Ruku, the cabinet secretary for the ministry of public service, stated that two watchmen and two pedestrians remain under the rubble. A taxi driver who survived the collapse was admitted to a nearby hospital and provided authorities with critical information.
The taxi driver reported that he saw the two pedestrians getting trapped when the building came down. Safia Ali Aden, the sister of one of the trapped watchmen, said her brother made a phone call to her from inside the collapsed building, and the family is worried about his safety. President William Ruto has been briefed on the incident, and authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse.
The Kenya Red Cross is also inspecting a building adjacent to the scene, which is showing signs of potential collapse. Building collapses are common in Nairobi, where housing is in high demand and some developers bypass regulations or violate building codes. In 2015, eight buildings collapsed and killed 15 people in Kenya, prompting the presidency to order an audit of buildings across the country. The National Construction Authority found that 58% of the buildings in Nairobi were unfit for habitation.
The latest incident highlights the need for stricter enforcement of building codes and regulations in Kenya. The investigation into the cause of the collapse is ongoing, and the authorities are working to rescue those trapped and provide support to the affected families. The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of buildings in Nairobi and the need for urgent action to prevent similar incidents in the future.