1st LD Writethru Roundup: Kenyan leader orders inspection of houses after building collapse

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday visited the site in Nairobi's Huruma residential estate where a building collapsed, killing 7 people and injuring more than 130 others on Friday night.

Kenyatta who braved the rainy and chilly weather to see how far rescue efforts, which were hampered by rains, have reached. He also ordered relevant government agencies to carry out audit of houses at risk in the area.

The order came after the police had earlier confirmed seven people were killed after a six-storey building collapsed in Nairobi. Rescue efforts are still underway, but more than 130 people have been rescued so far.

"Seven people are confirmed dead and 131 people have been rescued and rushed to various hospitals in Nairobi. The search and rescue operation is ongoing for people feared trapped inside the collapsed building of the six-storey building," Nairobi County police commander Japheth Koome said.

President Kenyatta instructed officials of the Interior Ministry and the County Government to undertake an immediate survey of all the houses in the area to find out those which are at risk of collapsing.

He said those in houses that are at risk of collapsing should be directed to move to buildings that are safe.

The President gave the order after it was revealed that the National Construction Authority had condemned the house, which collapsed, but the directive was ignored.

President Kenyatta instructed the Inspector General of the National Police Service, Joseph Boinett, to take immediate action to identify and arrest owners of buildings who have ignored directives by the National Construction Authority.

Boinnet has subsequently ordered for the arrest of the owner of the building for further questioning over substandard building which has been condemned.

Residents in neighbouring buildings have been asked to evacuate as soon as possible to avoid a similar disaster.

According to the National Disaster Operations Centre officials, people are still trapped in the building as voices can be heard calling out for help in the rubble.

Last year, President Kenyatta instructed the County Government to ensure all houses that were constructed without regard for construction rules should be demolished.

Rescuers at the collapsed building said 150 families were affected by the late night building collapse and Kenya Red Cross has set up rescue center where families can trace their loved ones.

Meanwhile, the National Construction Authority (NCA) chairman Stephen Oundo said the Huruma building had no occupation certificate from the authority. Endit