Unsafe Huruma buildings demolished as death roll rises to 42

The demolition of unsafe residential buildings in Nairobi has begun even as the death toll from last week's tragedy in Huruma rose to 42.

Bulldozers brought down the buildings after residents were ordered to evacuate.

Public Works Principle Secretary Paul Mwangi said several attempts to demolish unsafe houses in the past had been stopped by owners who obtained court orders barring demolitions.

“This time, we have to demolish them, whether they move to court or not, because we keep losing people inside,” he said.

At least 10 buildings will be demolished in Huruma.

The exercise follows the collapse of a building in Huruma last Friday.

The death toll has reached 42 after six more bodies were retrieved overnight.

The Kenya Defence Forces say there is still hope of finding survivors one week after the incident.

On Thursday, four people — three women and a man — were rescued from the rubble and taken to Kenyatta National Hospital.

One woman listed in a critical condition was, however, pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.