One person was confirmed dead on Wednesday May 1, 2024 after a 4-storey building under construction collapsed in Karia area, Kirinyaga County.

According to an eyewitness, the building collapsed on Wednesday morning when the woman and her two children were asleep. 

However, neighbours managed to rescue the two children as their mother perished during the tragedy.

Speaking at the scene of the incident, Edward Muriuki, a brother-in-law to the deceased said the victim was in a house, that was adjacent to the collapsed building. Her house was destroyed by the collapsed building.

Confirming the incident, Kirinyaga Central police commander John Torori said that they have launched investigations into the incident, adding that police officers and officials from the county government arrived at the scene immediately to help in the rescue operation.

“We are waiting for the owner of the building and if we find he violated the stipulated rules of construction, action will be taken,” Torori said.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the building may have collapsed due to the ongoing heavy rains although police are still investigating the incident.