By Olivia Mungwana
A four-story structure being built in the Regen region of Kikuyu constituency in Kiambu County has toppled.
The building that fell in the late hours of Saturday evening leaned against another Highrise, causing inhabitants to be displaced.
According to the preliminary analysis, the foundations of the collapsed structure substantially failed, Kiambu County Lands and Physical Planning County Executive Eunice Macharia told the media at the scene.
“As the County government of Kiambu, we approved only 4 floors but coming to the site the developer has done 5 floors with a penthouse at the top, we urge contractors and construction supervisors to follow guidelines in the design process of buildings approved,” she stated.
A resident of Crestwood Apartments, which is close to the collapsed building and who requested anonymity, said that they heard a loud sound about 11 p.m.
“We were about to get to bed with my family only to be awakened with a loud sound of something collapsing, going to the balcony we were all frightened seeing the building which was under construction nearing to be completed coming down towards our apartment,” she explained.
Following the shocking episode, the caretaker and respective house agents managed to not only report the incidence, but also to soothe individuals worried by assuring them of aid in the morning.
The structure is the fourth to fall in Kiambu County, following a seven-story building in Gachie, Ruiru, Kinoo, which collapsed last year due to inadequate construction materials and haste to finish projects without legal permissions, according to the National Construction Report.
Engineer Okere Makokha, the Director in Charge of Compliance and Enforcement for the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), warned developers who are breaking construction norms that their days are numbered with the current building evaluation process to enhance human safety.
Attempts to contact the collapsed building’s owner were fruitless because his phone was apparently out of service.
As of the time of publication, there had been no casualties.
