A search and rescue operation began on Sunday morning after a seven-storey building collapsed in Kahawa West, Nairobi. Police are unsure if anyone is trapped under the rubble.
Residents had earlier noticed structural problems with the building and took steps to evacuate people, capturing footage of the building collapsing.
The video shows locals warning people to move away just before the building collapsed, accompanied by screams.
Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei confirmed evacuation efforts before the collapse, although it’s still unclear whether any people remained inside.
“We are not sure if there were still people inside, but I know there was an evacuation. They knew it was weak,” he said.
Locals took video of the seven-storey collapse and shared them on social media.
One of the videos showed residents warning people to move away from the building just before it collapsed amid screams.
Bungei said they had sent teams to the site to help search and rescue anyone who might be trapped.
“Emergency teams have been dispatched to assist with the search and any rescue efforts,” he said.
Nairobi County had given the tenants 14 days to vacate the building from October 16, 2024.
The notice stipulated that tenants must cease all further development and occupation of the premises and vacate the building by October 30, 2024.
“Stop further development/occupation forthwith and remove the said development and vacate the building within a period of 14 days. From the date of this notice failing which the Nairobi City County may enter on the said land and execute the requirement as outlined herein above and may recover as a civil debt in any court of competent jurisdiction any related expense. This notice shall take effect on October 30, 2024,” reads the notice.
“A person who uses or causes or permits to be used the land to which this notice relates or carries out or causes or permits to be carried out operation or the said land in contravention of this notice shall be guilty of an offence provided for in Section 57,67 and 72 of the same Act.”
County Executive for Built Environment Patrick Mbogo confirmed that efforts are underway to evacuate individuals from adjacent buildings following the collapse.
“The Nairobi City County Government confirms the collapse of a housing unit in Kahawa West area plot no. 233, along Station Road, Kahawa West. Currently, all Nairobi County Teams are fully engaged in disaster recovery and evacuating occupants from adjacent buildings,” Mbogo said.
