A three-storey building collapsed in Kericho, leaving four people in critical condition and 17 with minor injuries as 22 were rescued.
Authorities have launched investigations and renewed warnings on unsafe construction.
Four people are in critical condition, while 17 others sustained minor injuries after a building collapsed in the Kaptebeswet Bypass area of Kericho County on Wednesday.
According to the Kenya Red Cross, at least 22 people have been rescued as emergency teams continue searching for those feared trapped under the debris.
The incident occurred earlier in the day, prompting a swift response from rescue teams and members of the public who rushed to the scene.
Emergency response teams on site include the Kenya Police Service, the county fire brigade, three county ambulances, and officials from the National Government Administrative Officers, working alongside the Red Cross to coordinate rescue efforts.
“Twenty-two people have been rescued following the building collapse in the Kaptebeswet Bypass area, Kericho County. 17 sustained minor injuries and received first aid at the scene, while 4 are in critical condition,” the Kenya Red Cross said in an update.
The collapsed structure is reported to be a three-storey building, though unconfirmed reports indicate that one person may have died.
Kericho County Commissioner Jeremiah Mwai Gicheru confirmed the incident, noting that all relevant agencies from both county and national government were present and actively involved in the rescue operations.
The cause of the collapse has not yet been established, with investigations ongoing.
Authorities have urged developers to strictly adhere to construction standards to prevent similar tragedies.
This incident adds to a growing number of building collapses reported across the country this year.
On March 18, four people died after a partially demolished building collapsed at Blue Estate in Shauri Moyo, Nairobi, prompting the Kenya Defence Forces to support rescue operations.
Earlier, on January 2, at least two people were feared dead when a multi-storey building under construction collapsed in the South C Shopping Centre area in Nairobi.
The Engineers Board of Kenya has repeatedly attributed the rising cases of building collapses to rogue developers, poor construction practices, and the exclusion of registered professional engineers from projects.
The board cited issues including the bypassing of regulations, the use of unlicensed personnel, and neglect of structural standards, often compounded by weak regulatory oversight.
In a joint statement by more than 10 engineering bodies, it was revealed that over 200 buildings have collapsed in Kenya since 1996.The bodies warned that a culture of impunity has allowed such incidents to persist, turning them into a recurring national tragedy.
The government, through the Ministry of Lands and Public Works, has also issued a stern warning.
Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome cautioned developers, contractors, and officials that they will face the “burden of punishment” if found responsible for approving or constructing unsafe buildings.
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