A seven-story residential building in Nairobi’s Kahawa West neighborhood in Kenya collapsed on Sunday, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation. The incident, captured on video, shows the structure crumbling as onlookers flee in panic.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja reported one confirmed casualty, a middle-aged woman who was injured outside the building during the collapse. She is currently receiving treatment and is in stable condition. However, the Kenya Red Cross has stated that several families may still be trapped inside the rubble.
Eyewitness Dicken Muchena, 31, reported that the building had been identified as a potential hazard earlier in the day, leading some residents to evacuate. “There were signs of collapse so people started vacating,” Muchena said, describing the scene as one of “horror” and “confusion.”
Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei confirmed that an evacuation had taken place prior to the collapse due to concerns about the building’s structural integrity. “We are not sure if there were people still therein, but I know there was an evacuation that happened. They knew it was weak,” Bungei stated.
The Kenya Red Cross has reported that two people have been rescued and transported to Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital. Governor Sakaja assured that all necessary equipment has been mobilized for the rescue operation, with Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri overseeing efforts at the site.
This incident raises concerns about building safety and construction standards in Nairobi, a rapidly growing urban center. As rescue efforts continue, authorities are likely to face questions about the enforcement of building codes and the prevention of similar incidents in the future.
The collapse has prompted the evacuation of adjacent buildings as a precautionary measure. Officials are urging residents to cooperate with emergency services and to report any signs of structural instability in their neighborhoods. As the search and rescue operation continues, local authorities are working to account for all residents and provide support to those affected by the collapse
