Six workers were trapped after a five-storey building under construction collapsed in Ogembo, Kisii County, on Tuesday evening.
Emergency teams were immediately deployed to the scene as concerns grew that workers could be buried beneath the concrete, steel and other construction materials.
Kenya Red Cross confirmed that its personnel were responding alongside county emergency teams, police and fire and rescue services.
Multi-Agency Rescue Operation Launched
Kenya Red Cross said its teams were working with Kisii County response teams, the Kenya Police Service and Fire and Rescue Services to search the collapsed structure and locate people believed to be trapped.
County ambulance services and EMS Kenya were also at the scene to provide emergency medical support in case survivors or injured workers were retrieved from the rubble.
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“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,” the statement read.
The rescue operation was continuing as emergency personnel carefully searched through the debris.
In a spot check, videos from the scene showed emergency responders working around the collapsed structure, while residents gathered nearby to follow developments. Authorities also urged the public to stay away from the site to give rescue personnel room to work and to avoid further danger.
Cases of Building Collapses Across the Country Rise
Reports of building collapses have been frequent in recent years, raising concerns over structural integrity.
In May, four people were trapped after an eight-storey building collapsed in Oloolua Ward, Kajiado North Sub-County.
In March, two workers were also trapped inside a collapsed building in Westlands, Nairobi County.
The Kenya Red Cross reported that the building collapsed on Wednesday night, March 18, initially trapping four workers. Rescuers rescued two unhurt, while two others remained trapped.
The incident followed another collapse in Kericho County, where one person died, and three others were rescued after a three-storey building collapsed in Chesanga village, Kipchebor Ward.
Kericho County Commissioner Jeremiah Mwai Gicheru confirmed that all relevant agencies participated in the rescue operation.
In another incident, four people died after a building collapsed at Blue Estate in Shauri Moyo, Nairobi, on March 16 during a demolition exercise along the Nairobi River riparian corridor.
Also Read: Building Collapses in Kibera’s Highrise Area
Concerns Over Approvals and Supervision
Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has previously blamed some of these collapses on weak approvals by county authorities.
She warned that architects, developers, and public officers involved would be held responsible once investigations are completed.
Wahome described some approvals as cases of serious negligence, saying oversight failures play a major role in allowing unsafe buildings to be built.
The Architectural Association of Kenya has also raised concerns about poor compliance with construction regulations, citing weak supervision and enforcement.
Kenyans have also blamed approval by the authorities, with some saying poor construction materials are being used to construct storey buildings.
“We’re waiting for NCA to highlight the main course. However, it’s always connected to a combination of human error, poor materials, and weak structural planning,” said Ignatius, a user on X.
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