Several construction workers are feared trapped after a building under construction collapsed in Kaptebeswet area, Kipchebor Ward in Kericho County on Wednesday.
Emergency teams have since launched a rescue operation as authorities race to account for all workers at the site.
Rescue Efforts Intensify
According to the Kericho County Government, emergency response teams were quickly dispatched, including firefighters and ambulances.
Excavators and heavy machinery have also been deployed to assist in clearing debris.
The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that at least four people have already been rescued from the rubble.
“Several people are feared trapped under the debris as rescue operations continue,” the organisation said.
Images from the scene show a partially collapsed structure, with a concrete slab caving in and exposing twisted reinforcement bars and weakened support columns.
Concerns Over Construction Safety
The latest incident adds to a worrying trend of building collapses across the country.
Earlier on March 18, four people died after a building collapsed in Shauri Moyo, Nairobi, prompting the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces to assist in rescue efforts.
In January, another multi-storey building collapsed in South C, Nairobi, leaving at least two people feared dead.
Experts, including the Engineers Board of Kenya, have linked the rise in such incidents to:
- Rogue developers bypassing regulations
- Poor construction practices
- Use of unqualified personnel
- Weak enforcement of building standards
What Happens Next
Authorities are expected to continue rescue operations until all workers are accounted for.
The incident is likely to renew calls for stricter enforcement of construction regulations and accountability for developers who ignore safety standards.
As Kenya grapples with repeated building collapses, the focus is shifting toward prevention—and whether regulatory bodies can act fast enough to avert future tragedies.
