Kisii Ward Reps demand probe as death toll from collapsed building hit 5

Authorities in Kisii say at least five people were killed Sunday when a rickety storey structure came tumbling down on family homes in Itierio, Suneka, Bonchari.

By late Sunday rescue and disaster teams were combing through the rubble in search for more survivors and bodies

The three storey building was under construction when it suddenly collapsed.

Witnesses said some workers on still on site when it collapsed.

Teams carrying rescue operations said they fear more people were still trapped.

“The fact that there were construction workers inside heightens fears of more fatalities,” a disaster official told Kahawa Tungu.

Five workers were retrieved from the rubble in the afternoon hours as rescue operations gathered pace.

Two, however, died on the way to hospital ballooning the figure of the fatalities to five.

At least three bodies were retrieved from the rubbles during the morning hours.

Kisii Assembly Deputy Speaker Jacob Bagaka and Ichuni Ward MCA Wycliffe Siocha visited the site and called for investigations.

They especially called on the National Construction Authority to explain lack of supervision as the building was being set up.

“Someone should explain if the processes were followed to the letter, am especially concerned why there was lack of supervision,” stated Bagaka.

Siocha sent his condolences to families that lost their loved ones.

He also praised the quick response by the disaster team to the site.

He however demanded answers on the structure and in particular its construction and supervision.

“We would want to see how it was approved and the supervision process since then,” he said.

Purity Moraa, director Bomas of Kenyan also condoled the families that lost their loved ones.

Rescuers worked to the night hoping to save more lives.