- The building collapsed on a residential house below it trapping some of those who were in the adjacent structure.
- Police said some workers had arrived at the site when the structure went down.
Five people were killed and six others injured after a building under construction collapsed at Kirigiti in Kiambu town.
The building collapsed on a residential house below it, trapping some of those who were in the adjacent structure.
Police said some workers had arrived at the site when the structure went down.
Police had by 9am removed two bodies and rescued seven people as the operation went on.
A multi-agency team was deployed at the scene to rescue the victims from the rubbles. Officials said it was not clear how many people were trapped.
A crowd surged at the scene hampering rescue mission.
Kiambu head of criminal investigations Richard Mwaura said they were investigating the incident.
“We are now focused on rescuing the victims, we will deal with the rest later. We will seek answers from all those concerned,” he said.
The military was among agencies at the scene to coordinate the rescue operation.
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi termed the incident devastating as he joined the rescue mission.
"Devastating news this morning. I was driving to the office this morning, and was diverted to the site of a building under construction that collapsed at Kirigiti in Kiambu town,” he said.
He promised action to stop the trend of collapse of buildings under construction.
The county government has announced it will carry out an audit of all houses under construction following the incident.
The combined efforts to rescue those trapped was coordinated by a multi-agency team led by the Kiambu County Fire & Disaster Management Department, Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Police Service and volunteers.
Also present were Woman Representative Ann Wamuratha, Rosemary Kirika (deputy governor), Joshua Nkanatha (County commissioner) among other county leaders.
Wamatangi said it's unfortunate that the contractors violated the county approval laws.
He confirmed that already, three people had lost their lives while six were injured.
Wamatangi said the rescue mission will continue to ensure no one has been left behind.
"We have lost three people, a mother and two babies. Six others were injured," he said. He noted that going forward, the county government will audit all the construction projects.
He said those involved will be taken to court.
Wamuratha said the county administration will not allow such mishaps to continue happening. She appealed to members of the public to be watchful and always report any wrong doing in the society.
"I would like to urge residents to be watchful and ensure their security is guaranteed,"she said.
Kiambu county commissioner Joshua Nkanatha said they will crack down on rogue contractors.
He said they will work with members of the public for tip off and will arrest anyone who will be doing any project without relevant approval.
Kiambu deputy governor Rosemary Kirika said they will tighten all the loopholes that crooks use to get approval.
She urged the public to ensure personal safety and report wrongdoing to the authority. She expressed confidence that the current administration will fulfil promises they made to residents.
"Security is paramount and all Kenyans should watch out,"she said.
-Edited by SKanyara