Tenants had planned to move out, say survivors
The remains of the flat that collapsed in Makongeni killing at least 4 people and injuring ten people. Mr Ondieki said the house was not approved. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE
What you need to know:
- The building, which had four floors and was under construction, had developed cracks, prompting the tenants’ protests.
- The survivors said they are alive because they were trapped between slabs, while others said they were sheltered by debris. It was a miracle, they added.
- Mr Kenneth Rubia was sound asleep when the house began to shake at around 3am.
Families that lived in the building that collapsed Wednesday in Makongeni say they had planned to move out by tomorrow due to its poor state.
Survivors said their landlord had given in to their demands to refund their rent deposits so that they could move and give way for renovation. The building, which had four floors and was under construction, had developed cracks, prompting the tenants’ protests.
The survivors said they are alive because they were trapped between slabs, while others said they were sheltered by debris. It was a miracle, they added.
Mr Kenneth Rubia was sound asleep when the house began to shake at around 3am.
TUMBLING DOWN
“My sister with whom I live went to open the door to see what was happening. When she opened the door, everything came tumbling down on her.
“In the confusion, I lost consciousness. I do not know whether she survived,” he told the Nation at the Kenyatta National Hospital, where he was being treated.
The hospital reported that one woman died while being taken in for treatment. “Six of them have been attended to and discharged. The rest are still admitted,” KNH communication officer Kibet Mengich said.
A 10-month-old baby is among the survivors. He sustained minor injuries. His mother, Ms Esther Wayua, said heard a bang, before everything started sinking. She lived on the second floor with her son and sister.
“Everything was happening so fast and at that time all I was thinking was my baby’s safety. I told myself that even if I die, I would do so while shielding my baby,” she said.
