In a devastating turn of events, an eight-story residential building collapsed in Nairobi, Kenya, trapping several families under the rubble. The building, situated in the densely-populated Kahawa West neighborhood, had already been marked for demolition by officials. Despite this, the tragedy unfolded, leaving at least two people rescued so far, as reported by the Kenyan Red Cross on social media.
### Rescue Operation in Progress
The search and rescue efforts are ongoing, thanks to the collaborative efforts of a multi-agency response team. The situation remains critical as responders work tirelessly to save any remaining individuals trapped in the debris.
### Building Constructed Without Approval
According to documents obtained by the AFP news agency, the apartment block was constructed and inhabited without the necessary approval from city authorities. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja mentioned on social media that casualties are expected to be minimal, given the building’s condemned status and prior evacuations.
Despite the warning signs, former residents of the building expressed shock and disbelief at the sudden collapse. One individual shared their distress, noting that they had only moved out the day before, leaving behind friends who lost their belongings in the disaster.
### Addressing Corruption in Construction
Kenya is currently experiencing a construction boom, but the prevalence of corruption has allowed some contractors to bypass regulations and compromise on safety standards. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the risks associated with unchecked practices within the construction industry. In a similar event in 2022, five lives were lost when a six-story building collapsed in Nairobi.
The tragic collapse of the residential building in Nairobi underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of building regulations and oversight within the construction sector. Public safety must remain a top priority to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.