Worker killed in partially collapsed Westlands building identified as a crane operator
Authorities identified the worker who was on Wednesday killed after a building under construction partially collapsed in Westlands, Nairobi.
He was identified as Vincent Mokaya who was an assistant crane operator at the site.
He was among two workers who had been trapped for hours before his body was discovered Thursday dawn.
The National Disaster Management Unit said the partial collapse happened at about 7.30 pm prompting a search and rescue mission.
“Regrettably, one male adult lost his life. Our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and all affected. The response operation was called off at about 0330hrs on 19/03/2026, after successfully accounting for all persons.
NDMU urges all contractors and developers to strictly adhere to the National Building Code 2024 and prioritise worker safety all the time,” the agency said.
The scene remained closed on Thursday as investigators visited there for investigations.
Police said the building had reached 22 floors and the upper floor caved in trapping the four workers who were present at about 8 pm along School Lane.
Out of four workers involved, two escaped unhurt, one died while another one was rescued with injuries, Nairobi police commander Issa Mohamud said.
He added they had accounted for all workers at the scene and investigations were ongoing.
“We do not know why they were working at night. Our teams are at the scene to know more but one worker died unfortunately,” he said.
He said the investigators include officials from the County Government and National Construction Authority.
Emergency officials worked overnight to rescue the trapped.
This was the latest such incident to happen in the construction industry amid calls for caution on the players for the safety of workers.
It came hours after a building under construction collapsed on Wednesday in Chebocho Sub-location, Kericho County, leaving one person dead and several others injured.
Four workers were rescued from the scene, officials said.
The incident, confirmed by County Commissioner Jeremiah Gicheru, triggered an immediate multi-agency emergency response involving Kenya Red Cross, National Government Administrative Officers, and local rescue teams.
Search and rescue operations were ongoing at the scene as teams worked to reach individuals believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.
Authorities said four people had been successfully rescued and rushed to Kericho County Referral Hospital for treatment.
“Regrettably, one fatality has been confirmed. The body has been retrieved and moved to the hospital mortuary,” Gicheru said.
This is the latest such incident to happen in the construction industry amid calls for adherence to the laid down standards to ensure safety of all. Dozens of workers have died in separate incidents after buildings under construction collapsed.
Many others were left with injuries. The incidents remain under probe amid accusations of compromise on some officials charged with managing the sector.