Kenya: 6-story building collapse leaves 2 dead

NAIROBI, Kenya

Two people have been confirmed dead after a 6-story building in Nairobi collapsed on Friday.

The incident took place in Embakasi located 13 kilometers (8 miles) on the outskirts of the Kenyan capital.

Rescuers drawn from the Kenya Police, the Red Cross and the National Disaster Management Unit joined locals to try and free survivors buried under the rubble.

Nairobi County Regional Commissioner Wilson Njenga told reporters at the scene that “two people have died and 11 others have been taken to various hospitals across Nairobi.”

The cause of the collapse has been attributed to the heavy rainfall that is pounding different areas of Kenya and poor-workmanship.

Locals said that the building had a very weak foundation, and blamed the Nairobi County government for not constructing proper drainage systems in the area.

"We have been waist-deep in water for almost a month, the drainage is poor. Those who are tasked with inspecting buildings always come here to take bribes and they leave," Mercy Auma, a resident from Embakasi area, told Anadolu Agency.

In a statement, Red Cross said 11 people have been rescued so far, as specialized search and rescue teams continue with operations.

"Psychosocial support services and tracing desk set up a block away from the incident,” it said.

Nairobi has witnessed frequent building collapses in recent years. Kenyan leader Uhuru Kenyatta has previously blamed the innocent deaths on corrupt Nairobi county officials who take bribes and ignore mandatory inspections.

Such buildings are constructed by unqualified labors with substandard materials and poor structural designs.

Last year 42 people died in Nairobi after a 6-story building collapsed.