Highrise building collapses in city search on for mother, child

Rescuers at a collapsed building in Kahawa West, Nairobi, on October 20, 2024. [Mike Kihaki, Standard]

Authorities are searching for a missing woman and her child following the collapse of a condemned highrise building in Kahawa West, Nairobi, Sunday.

The collapse re-ignited debate about construction standards and approval processes since the doomed building had been occupied for less than a month before the disaster.
By last evening, search and rescue efforts were going on with fears that a mother and her child could be trapped in the rubble.

Nairobi Deputy Governor James Muchiri expressed deep concern over the situation, stating that despite multiple warnings some developers continue to circumvent the law.

“I understand the National Construction Authority and the County Government of Nairobi had issued an alarm over the building. However, it had not been demolished,” said Muchiri.

The deputy governor said most tenants had vacated the premises after authorities raised concerns about the structure’s integrity.

“About 99 percent of occupants had sought alternative accommodation. Some had just returned to pick what they had left behind when the building caved in,” he added.

Muchiri said authorities have deployed a multi-agency response team, including the Kenya Defence Forces, police, Red Cross, and Nairobi County emergency team, to search for anyone trapped in the debris.

“We don’t want to take any chances until we account for everyone who used to stay here,” assured Muchiri.

The building, declared unfit for occupancy just a week earlier, had shown visible cracks that led to warnings from local officials.

Yet, some residents, hoping to salvage their belongings, returned to the building on Sunday. Unfortunately, disaster struck during their return.

Despite the warnings, some tenants hesitated to vacate. Muchiri criticised this inaction, stating, “When a building is marked by authority unfit for human habitation, it is very wrong to wait until disaster happens.”

One resident, Christopher Tenga, witnessed the building collapse at around 11 am.

“There were masons working on the building, trying to reinforce it for re-occupation,” he said adding that he witnessed a man being rescued and rushed to hospital.

Kahawa West MCA Clement Kamaru, confirmed that the building had been earmarked for demolition after numerous warnings.

“Since we began the process of denouncing these buildings, many occupants have left. This apartment was marked, and the cracks were evident,” Dr Kamaru said.
Dr Kamaru said the timely intervention saved lives and loss of property.

“We gave early warning when the building started exhibiting cracks. Most tenants obliged and moved out,” he said.

An eyewitness, Francis Gitonga, revealed that he had previously alerted authorities about the building’s deteriorating state.

“I informed the local authority, and they brought in the National Construction Authority and county officers,” he said.