Several People Feared Trapped as 4-Story Building Comes Down in Nairobi

Several people are feared trapped after a four-story building located in Nairobi's Ruai estate collapsed on Saturday morning.

Kenya Red Cross said one person had been rescued and was rushed to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital for treatment.

Rescue operations at the building situated near the Eastern Bypass interchange are ongoing.

"Emergency and rescue operations are currently underway in Ruai, Nairobi after a four-storey building collapsed early this morning. The building is located at the Kangundo Road Eastern bypass junction and houses a restaurant and lodging rooms. Several people are believed to be trapped inside the rubble of the building," Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko said in a post on Facebook.

Area MCA John Kamangu said the structure had been marked for demolition by the Kenya Construction Authority (KCA).

"The owner had been warned several times ... he did not comply with regulations," Kamangu said in a televised interview.

He added: "Not many people were inside at the time of the collapse. We have been informed of a couple who checked in last night and are still trapped. Majority of others people had already left."

Its collapse comes a day after another five-story building under construction came down in Juja, Kiambu County.

A week ago, the Nairobi county government and police warned city residents to urgently vacate buildings marked for demolition to avoid disasters.