Several people are feared to be trapped after a building under construction collapsed in the Kaptebeswet Bypass area, Kericho County.
The building collapsed while workers were still on site, and construction equipment is visible in the images shared.
Emergency response teams have been dispatched to the scene, and rescue operations are currently underway as officials work to rescue people trapped inside.
The County Government of Kericho confirmed that it has received reports of the collapse at Kaptebeswet, Kipchebor Ward.
Building Collapses in Kaptebeswet, Kericho County
In a statement, the county stated that it has swiftly dispatched its emergency response teams, including firefighting units and ambulances, to the scene.
“In addition, we are mobilizing excavators and other heavy machinery to support ongoing rescue efforts,” the county said.
Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), in a statement, has also confirmed that several people are feared to be trapped under the debris, as rescue operations have begun, with four individuals already rescued.
“Response teams are on site, with four individuals successfully rescued so far,” KRCS said.
In images and videos seen by The Kenya Times, residents in the area gathered near the site as rescuers coordinated efforts to search through the rubble.
Eyewitnesses at the scene captured footage showing an excavator actively engaged in the rescue operation, while a section of the building’s wall lay in ruins.
At the time of publishing, the police had yet to confirm the number of casualties or injuries.
Also Read: Several Feared Trapped After Building Collapses in Nairobi
Reports of buildings collapsing have been frequent in the recent past, raising concerns about the structural integrity of the buildings following the recent heavy rains and flooding.
A building has collapsed in the Blue Estate area of Shauri Moyo in Nairobi, with an unknown number of people feared trapped beneath the rubble.
According to the Kenya Red Cross, the structure gave way adjacent to buildings that were being demolished on riparian land.
Initial reports indicated that 10 people were inside the building at the time of the collapse. Two managed to escape by jumping out.
Two people were rescued and taken to Kenyatta National Hospital for medical attention. Six people remained unaccounted for as of Monday, March 16.
On January 11, two workers died when a building under construction collapsed in Karen.
Seven others were rescued and taken to the hospital with multiple injuries.
Officials said the building, which had reached the first floor, collapsed while masons were laying a slab.
Authorities attributed the collapse to structural failure linked to poor workmanship and inadequate formwork.
Also Read: Health Ministry Outlines What to Do When a Building Collapses During Long Rains
Earlier in the month, on January 2, a 14-storey building reportedly suffered a “pancake collapse” in South C, Lang’ata Sub-county, leaving at least two people feared trapped.
Emergency response teams, including Nairobi City County, the National Youth Service, the Kenya Defence Forces Disaster Response Battalion, and the Nairobi Fire Brigade, were deployed to clear debris and search for survivors.
