Wednesday 09th September, 2026 01:11 AM|
A five-storey building under construction has collapsed in Ugembo, Kisii County, prompting a multi-agency search and rescue operation for people believed to be trapped in the rubble.
The Kenya Red Cross said its teams were at the scene alongside county response teams, police and fire and rescue services as emergency crews worked to locate those who may have been trapped.
“The Kenya Red Cross is currently responding alongside County response teams, PoliceKE and Fire and Rescue Services in a multi-agency search and rescue operation for persons believed to be trapped,” the organisation said in a statement on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
County ambulance services and EMS Kenya have also been deployed to provide medical assistance as the rescue operation continues.
“County ambulance services and EMS Kenya are also on scene providing emergency medical support,” the Kenya Red Cross said.
The number of people who may have been inside the building when it collapsed was not immediately known. The Kenya Red Cross had not provided details of any casualties or confirmed whether anyone had been rescued at the time of its update.
The circumstances that led to the collapse were also not immediately established.
Emergency teams are continuing to search the site as authorities respond to the incident. Police and fire and rescue personnel are part of the multi-agency operation, working alongside county teams and the Kenya Red Cross.
The collapse occurred in Ugembo, Kisii County, where the under-construction building came down while emergency agencies were called in to respond.
The presence of ambulances and emergency medical teams at the scene means medical assistance is available should injured people be recovered from the rubble.
Authorities have yet to release further information on the extent of the collapse, possible casualties or what may have caused the building to fail.
The Kenya Red Cross’s update came as the rescue operation was under way, with emergency responders focusing on people believed to be trapped.
More information is expected as rescue teams assess the site and establish the number of people affected by the collapse.
