City Affairs

Tragedy as five-storey building collapses in Uthiru

By John Mbati | Tuesday, May 7, 2024

All tenants have been accounted for except four people.

A five-storey building has collapsed in Uthiru, along Naivasha Road in Nairobi.

According to Nairobi County Chief Officer, Disaster Management & Coordination Bramwell Simiyu, all 34 tenants have been accounted for.

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A tenant who spoke to The Eastleigh Voice revealed that there were cracks on the building that collapsed around 8 pm, and they had raised the issue with the landlady as late as 5 pm on Tuesday.

Some of the tenants of the collapsed building in Uthiru. (Photo: John Mbati)

The landlady sent a message to the tenants via WhatsApp on Tuesday, stating, “Hi All. Engineer Chege has inspected the building and stated that the building is safe. Due to the heavy rainfall, backfilling soil has soaked through, thus causing the floor breakage. I am concerned for all of us and would not wish for anything wrong with our building. Please don’t hesitate to call me if you have any concerns”.

Kenya Red Cross team and residents gather near the collapsed building in Uthiru. (Photo: John Mbati)

She followed up with another message, saying, “I’ve booked another Engineer to give us a second opinion. He will be here at 8 am on Wednesday, May 8.”

According to an eyewitness and tenant, who wished to remain anonymous, the incident happened around 8 pm as he watched television.

“We were watching the TV when the incident happened. I have stayed here for nine months. My neighbours say the building has been here for three years now.” - Daniel one of the tenants of the building that collapsed along Naivasha Road in the Uthiru area. pic.twitter.com/Fm4beIWMdq
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) May 7, 2024

"One of our neighbours burst in, shouting and screaming, warning us to evacuate the premises. My wife and I are fortunate to be safe, but we're still trying to account for others... Three individuals are still unaccounted for, and we are concerned for their safety, especially considering the extensive damage to the first floor."

The tenant, who has lived in the building for nine months, sustained head pains and arm injuries in the incident. The building was built three years ago.

Some of the KDF disaster response team at the site. (Photo: John Mbati)

OCPD Kivinda Kilonzo has ordered police to guard the scene and revealed that investigations to begin Wednesday morning.

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) disaster response team is also at the scene.

The Kenya Red Cross team who are also on site said they have attended to 10 people who had minor injuries.

Other multi-agency teams comprising the County Fire Brigade, National Police Service (NPS), Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are also responding to the disaster.