The County Government of Nairobi has confirmed that all individuals feared trapped in the collapsed building in Kahawa West on Sunday, have been accounted for.

In a fortunate turn of events, a lady and a child who were initially trapped were safely evacuated and transported to safety, following a swift response by emergency services.

Earlier in the day, around 100 occupants of the mixed-use development had been evacuated promptly before the eight-story structure gave way.

Nairobi County Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri visited the site to assess the aftermath of the disaster.

He affirmed, “All the workers who were working on the ground floor of the 8-storey collapsed building have all been accounted for.”

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However, the incident did not come without casualties.

Two individuals were reported injured: a middle-aged lady struck by falling rubble while outside the building and a gentleman rescued with a broken leg.

Both victims received immediate medical attention and were rushed to hospital for specialised treatment.

The Nairobi County Government has also taken precautionary measures to ensure the safety of residents in the vicinity.

The authority confirmed that occupants of nearby buildings exhibiting visible cracks and signs of structural weaknesses were asked to vacate their premises.

“The nearby buildings have exhibited signs of structural failures, and tenants have since been evacuated,” they stated.

In response to the building's collapse, the county's multi-sectoral teams have been working diligently in disaster recovery and evacuation operations.

A command centre has been established to coordinate these efforts.

Officials further declared intentions to hold the building owner accountable, with plans for their arrest and arraignment in court.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Built Environment and Urban Planning, Patrick Mbogo, remarked, “We will scale up building audits on all illegal developments in the Kahawa West area.”

As recovery efforts continue, the County Government remains committed to thorough inspections.

“Operations are still ongoing. Further progress is to be provided as the recovery efforts progress,” confirmed a county official.

The National Construction Authority has also released a statement regarding the collapse of the residential building.

The building, condemned by the Multi-Sectoral Agency Consultative Committee (MSACC) prior to its collapse, had been ordered to be evacuated following an assessment on Wednesday.

"The building had been condemned by the Multi Sectoral Agency Consultative Committee (MSACC) who visited the building on Wednesday, 16th October 2024, following which an enforcement order was issued for immediate evacuation," NCA stated.

The building owner was instructed to submit a structural integrity report within 14 days; however, the incident occurred before compliance.

The MSACC comprises various agencies, including the National Construction Authority, Nairobi City County Government, National Buildings Inspectorate, and several others, all collaborating to ascertain casualties and conduct necessary rescue operations.

Eng. Maurice Akech, Executive Director/Registrar of Contractors at the National Construction Authority, reiterated the organisation's commitment to overseeing the construction industry and ensuring public safety.

The authority is actively involved in assessing the situation and aiding in recovery efforts as the city mourns a close call with disaster.