5-Storey Building Collapses In Uthiru, But All Occupants Safe

UPDATE: The Nairobi County government has confirmed that all 34 residents of the collapsed building in Nairobi’s Mountain View Ward, Uthiru have been located and are safe. There are no casualties. 

"Earlier concerns about four missing residents, including a 10-year-old girl, have been cleared. The building was sinking slowly, and all the residents were able to jump out and manage to exit the building," a statement to newsrooms by Chief Officer of Disaster Management, Bramwel Simiyu read in part.

"The Nairobi City County emergency team continued to scour the scene while awaiting assistance from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) from Kahawa Barracks, who will bring the sniffer dogs to ensure and eliminate any possibility of individuals trapped in the debris. There is one house with a gas flame that will be allowed to burn out safely."

A five-storey building has collapsed in Uthiru, a settlement transversing in both Nairobi County and Kiambu County on the northwest side of the city centre of Nairobi.

According to the Kenya Red Cross, the building is located near the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) along Naivasha Road.

"In Uthiru, Nairobi County, a building has collapsed, response teams are en route to the scene," stated Kenya Red Cross on X.

Five-storey building collapses in Uthiru on May 7, 2024. /STACY ODHIAMBO

Photos and videos seen by Viral Tea showed the building partially collapsed at its base with the apartment block tilted to its left-hand side.

At the time of the incident, lights were still on within the housing units as onlookers raised the alarm.

The Nairobi County government Chief Officer of Disaster Management, Bramwel Simiyu, in a statement seen by Viral Tea, revealed that its emergency response team was swiftly deployed to the scene and continued to assist in evacuating residents to safety.

"As of 10:00 PM, all the families except four persons have been accounted for. The four missing persons include a nanny and two children from one household, as well as a 10-year-old girl from another residence.

"The father of the girl has arrived at the scene and informed the responders that the girl was home alone," read the statement in part.

With rescue efforts continuing, the county government has mobilised specialised equipment, with further updates expected to be provided in due course.

"The cause of the collapse remains unknown. Detailed investigations will commence tomorrow," added the statement.

The collapse comes as the country has been grappling with heavy rains and flooding that has not spared the capital city.

Earlier this year, two middle-aged construction workers died during working hours on Monday, February 19 after a crane had collapsed on them in the Makutano area of Meru County.