All masons who were working on the eight-storey residential building that collapsed in Kahawa West, Nairobi, have been accounted for, according to Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
The workers, hired by the building's owner to repair cracked pillars and walls, were on the ground floor when the structure gave way.
Fortunately, the tenants had already been evacuated before the collapse, preventing what could have been a much larger tragedy.
Governor Sakaja confirmed that a woman and her child, who were initially reported missing, have also been found safe.
Over 60 tenants lived in the building before it was evacuated. Their quick departure was in response to visible signs of structural failure that concerned local residents.
Nearby, another building exhibiting similar structural weaknesses was also evacuated to prevent a repeat incident.
Nairobi County Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri arrived at the scene to oversee the ongoing search and rescue operation.
Multi-agency teams, including police and military personnel, were deployed to clear the rubble and ensure no one was trapped inside.
According to Governor Sakaja, the risk of casualties is low since the building had been condemned, and most residents were moved out as a precaution by the Nairobi City County's Planning Enforcement team.
So far, only one casualty has been reported—a middle-aged woman who was injured by falling debris while outside the building when it collapsed.
The incident highlights the quick response from both locals and authorities. Residents, who had detected the building's instability, took immediate action by mobilizing the evacuation and capturing videos of the structure moments before it came down.
These videos depict residents urgently warning others to clear the area, followed by the building's dramatic collapse amid screams.
Nairobi police chief Adamson Bungei noted that the local community's vigilance played a crucial role in preventing a larger disaster.
"They knew it was weak and had been told to move out. We are still searching to ensure no one is trapped inside," he said.
While the cause of the collapse is still under investigation, the focus remains on ensuring public safety and preventing similar incidents.
The quick evacuation and organized response efforts likely saved lives, turning a potential catastrophe into a ituation with minimal casualties.