A five-storey building that was still under construction has collapsed in Ogembo, Kisii County.
The building came down on Tuesday evening, September 8, raising concerns over the safety of people at the site and in the surrounding area.
Several people are feared to have been trapped inside the structure following the collapse. However, Vantage Ke could not independently establish the exact number of people who may have been inside the building at the time of the incident.
Emergency teams, including the Kisii County emergency response team, have been deployed to the scene as rescue efforts get underway.
Footage seen by Vantage Ke showed a large crowd gathered near the site, while emergency responders worked to search through the collapsed structure and assist in the rescue operation.
The Tuesday evening collapse has heightened concern in Ogembo, amid fears that people could remain trapped under the rubble as rescue teams continue searching the site.
Residents have been advised to stay away from the collapsed structure to avoid interfering with the ongoing rescue operation and to give emergency personnel enough space to work safely.
Local leaders have also called for a comprehensive investigation into the construction of the building, particularly to establish whether the project met the required building codes and safety standards.
The incident comes at a time when parts of the country are preparing for increased rainfall expected later in the year. Kisii is among the areas that could experience significant rainfall, raising questions about the preparedness and structural integrity of buildings under construction.
Although the area has recorded rainfall in recent days, there is no immediate indication that the weather directly caused the building to collapse.
The incident has once again drawn attention to construction safety in Kenya and concerns over the enforcement of building regulations, particularly in rapidly developing urban centres.
It follows a series of building collapses reported in different parts of the country in recent months. On July 23, a residential building collapsed in Nairobi's Jacaranda area, resulting in three deaths and leaving several other people injured.
Earlier, on April 8, a building under construction in Kibera collapsed, killing one person. The incident was linked to structural deficiencies and concerns over construction standards.
Professional bodies, including the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) and the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), have previously raised concerns about weaknesses in construction practices and the safety of buildings in Nairobi and other urban areas.
The National Construction Authority (NCA) has also identified shortcomings in the construction sector, including failures linked to approvals, supervision and compliance with established building standards.
The latest collapse is therefore likely to renew calls for stricter monitoring of construction projects, proper inspection of buildings and stronger enforcement of safety regulations to prevent similar incidents and protect lives.
