KISUMU, Kenya — No lives were lost when a four-storey building under construction collapsed in Tom Mboya Estate on Monday night, Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o confirmed, as he ordered intensified inspections across all construction sites in the county.
Nyong’o, alongside Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili, Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga, and senior officials from the National Construction Authority, briefed the media on the incident and the coordinated emergency response efforts undertaken since the collapse.
Emergency Response Praised
The governor commended the swift and coordinated response by all emergency agencies, led by the county government, city management, medical teams, and media outlets in Kisumu, for contributing to the successful outcome of the operation.
Structural Default Suspected
Preliminary investigations indicate that the collapse could have resulted from a structural default, Nyong’o said.
Crackdown on Unsafe Practices
The governor warned that the county government will not tolerate unsafe construction practices.
“I have directed intensified inspections across all construction sites, and isolated cases of compromise or negligence by any county staff will be addressed appropriately. We cannot afford to compromise the lives and safety of our people out of greed or self-interest,” Nyong’o said.
Commendation for Response Teams
Nyong’o commended all emergency response teams for their professionalism, commitment, and swift coordination throughout the operation, emphasising that public safety remains the county’s highest priority.
The incident adds to a growing list of building collapses in Kenyan urban centres, where weak enforcement of construction regulations and corruption in approvals have repeatedly put lives at risk, prompting renewed scrutiny of county-level oversight responsibilities.
