Several Feared Trapped as Storey Building Collapses in Kiambu [VIDEO]

Panic engulfed Kirigiti, Kiambu county after a storey building collapsed on Monday morning, September 26.

Media reports indicated that several people were feared trapped under the rubble after the structure tumbled.

In a video seen by Kenyans.co.ke, Kiambu governor, Kimani Wamatangi was among the first responders on site ensuring that the rescue operation is effectively coordinated.

The governor rallied the residents to aid in the operation to save those feared trapped.

“Let us help each other. I urge those standing over there to come and help us to remove this rubble and save those trapped inside,” the governor urged the residents.

The incident comes despite the standards recently set by the government in a bid to mitigate the rise in cases of collapsed buildings across the country.

Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Managing Director, Bernard Njiraini, affirmed that some of the basic materials used in construction would be upgraded in quality. This includes structural steel, cement, and roofing tiles.

Njiraini also warned against the use of substandard materials, noting that it was a major cause of buildings collapsing in the country.

“We have a very elaborate way of protecting consumers against any manufacturers who will be attempting to reduce the quality of materials they are manufacturing.

“KEBS have a product certification scheme that requires manufacturers to establish quality control measures within their manufacturing establishment,” he stated.

Housing Permanent Secretary, Charles Hinga also intimated that the rise in cases was attributed to the poor choice of location and inadequate research done on the land.

“The collapse of buildings is not just poor quality. If you go and build on mushy land or riparian land which is meant for drainage we do have a challenge if someone is approved.”

“We are strengthening those institutions and we have created the National Building Inspectorate (NBI) that essentially brings everyone on board,” Hinga stated.