Fresh details have emerged regarding the victims of the four storey building collapse incident in Gitaru village, Kabete, Kiambu County on Friday, May 31, evening.
It has since been established that the four individuals who were trapped inside are dead and their bodies recovered from the rubble.
The building was reportedly being demolished to pave the way for the construction of the interchange at Gitaru, when it suddenly caved in, trapping workers inside.
Rescue efforts were immediately launched, with emergency services, including the Kenya Red Cross, dispatching teams to the scene.
Kenya Red Cross Issues Update of the Rescue Operation
Kenya Red Cross in a statement confirmed that one person had been successfully rescued from the rubble.
Also Read: Fresh Details Emerge About Bungoma Building That Collapsed
“One person rescued, others feared trapped after a three-storey building collapsed in Gitaru, Kiambu County.”
“Kenya Red Cross first responders, alongside a multi-agency team, are currently conducting rescue efforts to reach those suspected to be trapped,” read the statement.
The humanitarian organization later issued an updated statement noting that rescue operations had resulted in the rescue of another addition person.
“Another person rescued, bringing the total to two. A tracing and psychosocial support services desk has been set up to support the affected families.” said Kenya Red Cross.
Kiambu Governor Criticizes the Demolition Process
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, who was present during the operation, expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and criticized the demolition process, stating that it should have been carried out by a proper contractor under the supervision of the county government.
Also Read: Death Reported as Four-Storey Building Collapses in Kiambu
“We are not happy because this work should have been given to a proper contractor by KENHA and in accordance with the law, when there is an ongoing demolition the county government should be involved.”
“We as the county government should been asked for an engineer to come do an assessment so that when people conduct demolitions they can be supervised,” said the governor.
He also thanked the National Disaster Response team for their prompt arrival and collaboration with county officials in the rescue efforts.
“I’d like to thank our people from the National Disaster Response for coming here and collaborating with County official in the rescue operation, they have done a good job.”
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