Emergency teams rescued 22 people after a building under construction collapsed in the Kaptebeswet Bypass area of Kericho County on Wednesday, with four of those pulled from the debris left in critical condition.
The incident, which happened earlier in the evening, prompted a swift response from rescue agencies after reports emerged that several individuals could have been trapped beneath the rubble.
Kenya Red Cross, which has been leading response efforts, confirmed the number of those rescued and gave an update on their condition.
“Twenty-two people have been rescued following the building collapse in the Kaptebeswet Bypass area, Kericho County,” the agency said.
“Seventeen sustained minor injuries and received first aid at the scene, while four are in critical condition.”
Those with less serious injuries were attended to at the site, while the four in critical condition were taken to hospital as rescue efforts continued.
Teams from the Kenya Red Cross, Kenya Police Service, the County Fire Brigade, and National Government Administrative Officers were all involved in the operation. Three county ambulances were also deployed to assist in evacuating the injured.
Authorities had earlier indicated that more people could still be unaccounted for, leading to continued search efforts late into the night as responders worked to ensure everyone was accounted for.
The Kericho County Government said it had sent emergency teams, including firefighters and medical personnel, to the scene. It added that heavy equipment such as excavators was being mobilised to support the ongoing operation and help clear the debris.
Residents were advised to keep away from the area to give rescue teams enough space to carry out their work safely and without disruption.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown, with investigations expected to establish what led to the incident.
The Kericho collapse comes shortly after a similar tragedy in Nairobi’s Shauri Moyo area, where a building came down and claimed four lives while four others were rescued.
Officials said the Nairobi structure had been undergoing partial demolition at the time. It was among buildings marked for removal along the Nairobi River under the ongoing regeneration programme.
During that incident, four men were pulled out alive. “Two were transported to Kenyatta National Hospital for further medical attention, while two received first aid at the scene,” the statement said.
Rescue teams also recovered four bodies from the debris, which were handed over to police officers.
The operation in Nairobi brought together several agencies, including the Nairobi City County Urban Search and Rescue team, firefighters, the National Disaster Management Unit, the Kenya Defence Forces Disaster Response Battalion, and the Kenya Red Cross.
Authorities later secured the area and warned of potential danger from a nearby structure that showed signs of weakness.
Early reports suggested the victims had been collecting metal and other materials from the building when it suddenly collapsed.
Nairobi City County urged those living near riverbanks and riparian land to move to safer areas to avoid similar incidents.
“Nairobi City County continues to caution residents living along riparian areas and riverbanks to take immediate safety precautions and voluntarily relocate from these high-risk zones,” the statement said.
The county government also passed its condolences to the families affected by the Nairobi tragedy.
