The Ministry of Health (MoH) has issued a safety advisory warning the public about the risk of building and structural collapse during the ongoing March-April-May long rains.
According to the advisory issued by Principal Secretary (PS) for Public Health, Mary Muthoni, prolonged rainfall can weaken foundations, damage structures and increase risks of injuries and loss of lives.
“The Ministry of Health urges all Kenyans to remain vigilant during the ongoing MAM long rains and observe safety measures to reduce injuries and loss of life associated with collapsing structures,” read part of the advisory.
As a result, the Ministry advised the public to observe safety and health measures, including avoiding buildings that appear structurally weak, such as those with visible cracks.
Landlords and property owners have also been urged to inspect buildings and repair structural weaknesses. Contractors were cautioned against building on riparian land or flood-prone areas.
Further, the public are encouraged to follow advisories from the government and disaster operations centre and report collapsing infrastructure to the local authority.
In the event that a building or an infrastructure collapses, the public is advised to move away immediately to avoid falling debris. They should also contact emergency responders such as police or county disaster response teams.
The advisory comes at a time when cases of building collapses in Nairobi have been on the rise, a worrying trend that has led to several deaths, injuries, and destruction of property in recent years.
Just recently, at least six workers were injured after a building under construction collapsed at the foundation level at the junction of Racecourse and Kirinyaga roads in Nairobi CBD.
In January, two people lost their lives after a 16-storey building under construction, collapsed in Nairobi’s South C, renewing national outrage over unsafe and poorly regulated construction practices.
Days later, two workers were killed and seven others rushed to hospital with multiple injuries after a building under construction collapsed in Karen, Nairobi.
