Kisumu:A condemned building in the Mamboleo area of Kisumu City is scheduled for demolition within the next 48 hours after a partial collapse last week prompted safety concerns.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kisumu County Commissioner Mohammed Ramadhan Mwabuzo announced the decision after inspections by the County Security Committee, the National Construction Authority (NCA), and City Management technical teams. The demolition will be executed by Civil Scope Engineering Limited, which has received the necessary permits and is preparing equipment for the task.
The demolition process will be controlled, aiming to minimize the impact on surrounding structures and residents. Residents within a 500-meter to one-kilometer radius have been notified of the impending demolition due to potential effects in the area. Mwabuzo stressed the importance of informing tenants and families to ensure safety.
The commissioner also noted that other buildings marked with an X would undergo further inspection to verify compliance with construction standards. NCA Central Nyanza Regional Coordinator Architect Festus Mariera emphasized the need for developers to engage qualified professionals and adhere to regulatory guidelines to prevent construction failures.
Investigations into the Mamboleo building collapse are ongoing to determine responsibility. The owner could face legal action if found culpable. Injured individuals from the incident have been treated and discharged, and most tenants have retrieved their belongings from the site.
Mwabuzo urged residents to report unsafe buildings, especially with the anticipated El Nino rains, and advised relocation to safer areas if necessary. The building collapse crisis in Kenya has been exacerbated by illegal extensions and structural compromises, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of building regulations.
