Tuesday, May 9, 2023 –Engineers who arrived after being tipped about a cracked building in Kiambu Kamakis Area have watered down any dangers on the side of its occupants.
This is after a morning panic gripped tenants in the apartment located within the Kamakis Area on the Eastern Bypass, Kiambu County. The 6-storey building was seen with cracks on Monday evening, May 8.
Our sources told this writer that the building, as of now, hosts more than 100 tenants who were already in panic mode ready to leave, citing safety reasons.
“I moved into the building in December last year, but a month ago I noticed that the walls had started developing cracks and some of the doors would not close, so I decided to move out,” James Mwangi living in the apartment stated.
Ruiru sub-county engineer, John Kamau, who arrived at the scene, noted that there was no need for evacuations as the cracks were quite insignificant to cause movements.
“The cracks are minor and do not affect structural elements like columns and beams, however, we will subject the building to tests to establish its safety,” Kamau stated.
He would be supported by Ruiru police boss Alex Shikondi who assured residents that area police teams will keep monitoring the building.
“We value life more than property. If the engineer would have indicated that the building is unsafe for occupation, we would have requested all the tenants to vacate, but since he has said otherwise, we will allow them in but continue monitoring,” Mr. Shikondi pointed out.
This was happening weeks after a total of 70 persons narrowly escaped death in another building within Kiambu County.
The building collapsed after contractors who were called to install supporting pillars informed them that it was too late to save the structure.
