On October 20, 2024, an eight-storey residential building in Kahawa West, Nairobi collapsed.
However, what could have been a catastrophic tragedy was averted due to the swift actions of local residents and authorities. The building, which had been slated for demolition owing to structural deficiencies, had seen its tenants evacuated mere days before the incident. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has confirmed that all masons working on the building, who had been hired to address cracked pillars and walls, have been accounted for. Additionally, a woman and her child, initially feared missing, were found safe. Before the evacuation, over 60 tenants had resided in the building. The decision to evacuate was prompted by visible signs of structural failure that had alarmed local residents.
As a precautionary measure, another nearby building exhibiting similar structural weaknesses was also evacuated. In response to the collapse, a multi-agency team comprising police and military personnel was deployed to clear the rubble and ensure no individuals were trapped inside. Nairobi County Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri arrived at the scene to oversee the ongoing search and rescue operation. Governor Sakaja expressed confidence that the risk of casualties was low, given that the building had been condemned and most residents had been moved out as a precaution by the Nairobi City County’s Planning Enforcement team.
The incident has resulted in only one reported casualty – a middle-aged woman who sustained injuries from falling debris while outside the building during its collapse. Residents, who had detected the building’s instability, took immediate action by mobilizing the evacuation and capturing videos of the structure moments before it came down. These videos capture residents urgently warning others to clear the area, followed by the building’s dramatic collapse amid screams. Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei commends the local community’s vigilance, noting that their awareness of the building’s weaknesses and prompt action helped prevent a larger catastrophe.
While the cause of the collapse remains under investigation, the focus has shifted to ensuring public safety and preventing similar incidents in the future. Nairobi has experienced a surge in construction projects in recent years, but concerns about substandard construction practices and disregarded regulations persist. In the aftermath of the collapse, Governor Sakaja has pledged to hold the building’s owner accountable and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The county government plans to intensify its efforts to monitor and enforce building regulations, with a particular focus on high-risk areas like Kahawa West.
