Tragedy struck in the Kahawa West area of Nairobi on Sunday morning when a seven-storey building collapsed, leaving an unknown number of occupants feared trapped beneath the rubble.
The building, which housed residential units and businesses, including an Equity Afia clinic, had been occupied for less than a month.
Response teams from the Kenya Red Cross and the Nairobi County Government were swiftly dispatched to the scene.
Nairobi County Executive for Built Environment, Patrick Mbogo, confirmed the ongoing rescue efforts, noting that residents of adjacent buildings would also be evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The fear of further structural failures has heightened concerns in the area.
Eyewitness reports suggest that occupants of the ill-fated building were warned just hours before the collapse.
This has raised serious questions about the building’s approval process, construction standards, and the accountability of those responsible for ensuring safety.
Many are now wondering how such a building could have been deemed safe for occupancy and who should be held responsible for this disaster.
As the rescue mission continues, the site remains a sombre reminder of the risks posed by poorly constructed buildings.
Families anxiously await news of their loved ones, as emergency teams work tirelessly to search for survivors.
While the full extent of the casualties is still unknown, the focus remains on saving lives and providing support to those affected.
Residents of Kahawa West are now living in fear, as many of them wonder whether their homes are also at risk.
