Written By Lisa Murimi
Several Kenyans narrowly escaped unhurt on Thursday morning when a three-storey building under construction in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, collapsed.
The building, constructed by the Elgeyo Marakwet County Government, partially caved in due to reported weaknesses in its foundations.
A rescue team was quickly dispatched, and all workers were safely evacuated from the rubble.
Witnesses and residents expressed their outrage, blaming poor workmanship and substandard materials used by the contractor.
They claimed to have raised concerns with the County Government, which were ignored.
“We blame the County Government and the contractor for this. Many lives could have been lost,” one resident lamented.
Locals also criticized the contractor for not hiring local workers, opting instead for labor from Nairobi.
Images from the scene show part of the structure intact, supported by wooden pillars. The Kenya Red Cross arrived to provide first aid, though no serious injuries were reported.
This incident follows a similar collapse five days earlier in Kahawa West, Nairobi, where another building trapped several individuals under debris.
Authorities have since warned about the need for strict inspections to prevent future accidents.