5-Storey Building Collapses in Kisii

A five-storey building under construction has collapsed in Ogembo, Kisii County. 

In a statement on Tuesday night, September 9, the Kenya Red Cross said people were feared trapped inside the collapsed building. 

The organization noted that its teams, alongside Kisii County emergency response teams, police, and fire and rescue services, were responding to the incident to locate and rescue those trapped. 

“A five-storey building under construction collapsed in Ogembo, Kisii County.

“The Kenya Red Cross is currently responding alongside County response teams, police and Fire and Rescue Services in a multi-agency search and rescue operation for persons believed to be trapped,” read the statement. 

The organization also noted that county ambulance services and E-plus Medical Services (EMS) have been deployed to the scene to provide emergency medical support to anyone injured in the collapse.

The authorities are yet to reveal the number of people who were inside the building when it collapsed. 

The incident comes months after two people died after a building collapsed at the Gikomba Market in Nairobi.  

In a statement on Thursday, June 25, Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan said the victims were among a group of people who were demolishing Block B of the market.  

The block was damaged in a fire at Gikomba Market and caved in as it was being demolished. 

“Another tragedy has struck Gikomba Market. A group of young people was demolishing Block B when the structure suddenly collapsed, trapping several of them.  

“Tragically, two people have been confirmed dead. Block B had already been severely damaged by the devastating fire that swept through Gikomba Market, destroying nearly 90% of the stalls,” Hassan stated. 

The Kamukunji lawmaker extended his condolences to the families of the two victims who died in the incident. 

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have lost their lives, those still trapped or injured, and the entire Gikomba community as they continue to grapple with these repeated setbacks,” Hassan added.