How tenants of collapsed building ignored warnings – PHOTOS
A house that sunk in Kware area in Embakasi had shown indications it would collapse a week ago, tenants say.
More than four floors were pushed into the ground in the Monday night incident and there are fears that over a dozen tenants are trapped.
Police, National Youth Service personnel and workers from Nairobi City County government are battling remove debris in search of survivors.
Head of security at City Hall Francis Munyambu on Tuesday said most of the people had been evacuated but could rule out others being trapped inside.
Kware MCA Ken Ngondi claimed the building was built using substandard materials but the Nation could not independently verify this claim.
PLASTER PEELING OFF
Mr Mosomo Elisali, a tenant, said they first learned all was not well at the weekend when part of the ground floor plaster started peeling off.
The owner, only identified as George, started repairs on Sunday, he said.
“We found workers plastering part of the ground floor,” Mr Elisali said.
“We thought it was a normal repair but yesterday (Monday) a big crack appeared on the stairs. That’s when we realized it was serious.”
After the cracks, he said, someone called the owner who visited the house but he left immediately.
A few minutes later, police arrived at the scene at 7pm.
The officers ordered the tenants to leave the structure immediately and since it was an emergency, they left without carrying their belongings.
