Nairobi: 1 Rescued, 2 Missing After Building Under Demolition Collapses In South B

• Kenya Red Cross Society senior communications officer Munir Ahmed said operations are ongoing to rescue the suspected two missing individuals
• Rodriques Mulindi said the three were scavenging for metal scraps in the building that was not completely demolished
• He urged youths to avoid demolition sites until they are completely brought down to escape possible fatalities

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Nairobi - Two individuals sustained injuries when a building under demolition collapsed in the Fuata Nyayo area of South B.

The tragic event took place on the evening of Monday, May 20.

How trapped South B resident was rescued

In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, the Kenya Red Cross Societysenior communications officer, Munir Ahmed, said that the society, along with the Disaster Response and Recovery Branch (DRB) team from the Kenya Defence Forces and the police, coordinated a multi-agency rescue operation, resulting in the successful rescue of one person.

"Yesterday, a building under demolition collapsed in the Fuata Nyayo area of south B. As of last night, one person was rescued and two are suspected of missing while others scavenging for iron managed to escape unharmed. The Kenya Red Cross Society, the Disaster Response Batallion (DRB) team from KDF, E-plus Ambulance and the Kenya Police conducted a multi-agency operation at the scene," he said.

He noted that search operations are still ongoing for the two suspected to be trapped.

This incident occurred following a directive from the national government to demolish structures situated on riparian land due to the heavy rains that had caused flooding across the country.

Mulindi urges iron scavengers to be cautious

Governor Johnson Sakaja's protocol officer, Rodriques Mulindi, told TUKO.co.ke that the youths present at the site hailed from various parts of the city, including Kibra and Kayole.

He explained that the demolition activity had halted due to mechanical issues with all the involved tractors, prompting the intervention of additional rescuers.

Mulindi emphasised the importance of caution among residents and individuals who scavenge demolition sites for scrap metal, urging them to steer clear of such areas to prevent potential accidents and fatalities.

"I understand that people desire money and face unemployment. However, risking your life by going to dangerous places without valuing your life is not wise. Life is precious and irreplaceable. Money can be earned, but once you are gone, your family will suffer the loss.

Instead of causing them pain, I urge those interested in the iron industry to wait until the structures are safely brought down. Otherwise, we will lose many young people," he advised.

Weatherman predicts more rains in 37 counties

Meanwhile, the Kenya Meteorological Department urged residents from 37 counties to be cautious as the country expects heavy rains this week.

The weather forecasts predicted that the rains would be accompanied by strong winds and ocean waves.

The counties expected to experience severe effects included Nairobi, Narok, Kajiado, Kirinyaga, Kakamega, Kisumu, Murang'a and Nyeri among others.

What you need to know about flooding in Kenya

• Kirinyaga engineering student drowned while swimming in a flooded river
• A woman lost eight children to Mai Mahiu floods after heavy rains caused a dam at Old Kijabe to burst
• Bolt Kenya announced a partnership with the Kenya Red Cross Society to help flood victims

Proofreading by Otukho Jackson, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke