KIAMBU, Kenya, May, 18 – Tragedy struck after a building earmarked for demolition in order to pave way for the construction of a roundabout and the expansion of the Eastern bypass caved in on two people on Tuesday.
According to preliminary reports, the two men had descended on the site hoping to salvage some scrap metal and building blocks when the incident occurred. Police told Shahidi News that the roof of the building caved in on them when they were removing the items from the site.
Demolition works were being spearheaded by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA).
Meanwhile, others are said to have escaped death narrowly before the roof caved in.
“This building was being demolished by KeNHA, they want to put a very big roundabout here, unfortunately, they could not complete that exercise yesterday so today when they decided to come to some people decide to go inside and get some metals and buildings blocks, collect and sell but unfortunately they were trapped inside when the roof collapsed,” said police.
Rescue efforts continued for several hours before the exert use was taken over by Kenya Defence Force (KDF) officers in collaboration with Kiambu firefighters.
On Wednesday the body of the first victim was recovered after a 4-hour search while the other was found 30 minutes later.
Residents however called out KeNHA fr not securing the site amidst safety concerns by residents.
“We were looking for metal, everyone went to his own corner, unfortunately, they were buried from there,” said George Wanjohi.
“On Sunday is when the building was being demolished, up to Wednesday, they were looking for scrap metal. The government came here and took valuables….those that died, died because of Sh10 because they were going to sell building blocks,” said Joseph Kanga.
The bodies of the deceased are being preserved at the local mortuary.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
