Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto has been briefed on the collapse of a multi-storey building in Nairobi and has immediately directed multi-agency teams to respond to the incident, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku confirmed Friday.
The President’s instructions, Ruku said, focus on rescuing those trapped and ensuring a thorough investigation into the causes of the collapse.
CS Ruku said four people are feared trapped under the rubble, including two watchmen who were on duty inside the building and two pedestrians who were in a taxi near the site when the structure came down.
“The President was informed immediately, and he directed that multi-agency teams be deployed to carry out both rescue and investigative operations,” Ruku said.
According to Ruku, rescue teams are working round the clock to locate the trapped individuals.
The taxi driver, who survived and is admitted at Mbagathi Hospital, provided critical information that helped authorities confirm the presence of the two pedestrians.
Relatives of the watchmen are at the site, anxiously following every move of the rescue teams as they comb through unstable debris.
“The President’s instructions are clear: first, ensure the safety and rescue of those trapped; second, investigate thoroughly what caused this collapse and ensure that all those responsible are held accountable,” Ruku added.
He called for calm among the public and urged people to allow the rescue teams to operate without interference.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the building had been approved for 12 floors but had already reached the 14th floor at the time of collapse, a deviation that may have contributed to the disaster.
Nairobi City County Government had issued a stop order in August last year to halt construction, which appears to have been ignored.
CS Ruku identified the building owners, the contractor, supervising engineers, and the architect who drew the plans as key figures in the ongoing investigation.
“We have their names, contacts, and registration numbers. The law will take its course against anyone found negligent,” he said.
The President has also emphasised that the rescue operation should continue without delay, and legal accountability will follow once the emergency phase is over.
Multi-agency teams, including emergency responders, medical personnel, and security officers, are on site navigating the debris to reach those trapped.
