Ruiru: Building Collapses After Over 100 People Evacuated
Kiambu Governor, Kimani Wamatangi had on Sunday, November 20 ordered an evacuation of over 100 tenants from the building
Marvin Chege 
A building in Ruiru, Kiambu County collapsed in the morning hours of Monday, November 21, after its tenants were evacuated after they noticed cracks on its walls.
Kiambu Governor, Kimani Wamatangi had on Sunday, November 20 ordered an evacuation of over 100 tenants from the building, with reports indicating that it collapsed at around 4 am.
“Tenants can no longer stay in this house because its columns- which are supposed to support it have cracked. It cannot stand for long. If not for the neighbouring house that is supporting it, it could already be down,” Wamatangi told the press during the evacuation of the tenants after he received a report from the National Construction Authority (NCA).
Scene after a building collapses in Ruiru, Kiambu County on November 21, 2022. /TWITTER
“I think we have a serious problem with the National Construction Authority and the county government, they need to wake up and become more responsible," Kiambaa MP John Njuguna weighed in.
A huge activity was noted within the condemned building as tenants rushed to salvage their belongings during the evacuation process.
The governor had ordered everyone to vacate within forty-five minutes with fire engines and emergency arriving at the scene.
Crowds of people milled around to witness the unfolding events, with owners of transport vehicles taking an opportunity to make money from the situation. Pickups loaded with personal belongings were seen leaving the scene.
Police officers were also present to maintain law and order as the evacuation continued. They were also on standby to protect property and thwart any looting plan by those who wanted to take advantage of the situation.
This was the same county whereby another building collapsed in Ruaka on Thursday, November 17. The building was six storeys tall. Lives were lost in the incident, including that of a couple.
Their three children however survived as they lived in another house in the compound. The building had flattened the iron sheet house the couple were spending their night in, which was next to the collapsed building.
“I live in the next building and when I heard the bang, I rushed outside. With the help of others who had come, we pulled out the rubbles but unfortunately, my brother and his wife had died,” Antony Karomo, a brother to the deceased, told the media.
Wamatangi while visiting the scene at Old Ruaka Road alongside rescue teams from the county, promised that action would be taken to prevent future incidences of that nature from occurring.
In Kasarani, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja reconstituted the Urban Planning Technical Committee (UPTC) which was initiated in 2009 to succeed the Town Planning & Works Committee.
