Scores trapped as storey building collapses in Roysambu – PHOTOS
An unknown number of people are trapped under a building that collapsed on Thursday behind the Thika Road Mall in Roy Sambu.
The residential building that was under construction came down at around 10.30am.
It is feared that most of those who are trapped are construction workers.
Kasarani OCPD Francis Sang’ said rescue teams have been called and some are already at the scene of the incident.
OWNER OF BUILDING
“We already have the National Youth Service, the Red Cross and some other rescue teams. We are also looking for the owner of the building” Mr Sang said.
Residents say the construction of the building, which was already on the sixth storey, was done in haste and fear that other buildings around the area could also be unsafe.
“Since the building and opening of the TRM, more than 20 flats have come up at a very fast rate. That the possible cause of collapse of building” a resident said.
Nairobi has in the past few months experienced a series of tragedies from collapsed buildings.
On December 17, a five-storey residential building that was partly occupied and still under construction collapsed in Kaloleni. Seven people died in the incident.
Three weeks later, another building collapsed in Huruma killing five people and injuring several others.
SUSPENDED OFFICIALS
Following the disaster, Nairobi Governor, Evans Kidero suspended county officials.
Among those who were suspended include Rose Muema, Chief Officer in charge of Planning, Urban Development and Housing, Jairus Kathenge who is the Director of Enforcement and compliance as well as 16 others in the line department.
Recently the Nairobi County Government rubbished a recent report that claimed a large number of buildings in Nairobi were not up to the standards and risked collapsing.
The report by Questworks, a design and engineering firm, also stated that at least three out four buildings in Nairobi risked collapse in case of an earth tremor.