Skip to content
About 90 families have been forced out of a 10-storey apartment building along Kabiria Road in Riruta Ward, Nairobi.
The evacuation followed a county inspection that found serious structural defects, including extensive cracks. Officials declared the building dangerous and ordered everyone to leave immediately.
Some tenants said they were caught by surprise when the evacuation notice was issued. Several left without collecting their belongings because they had little time to prepare.
One tenant said some residents were still asleep when they received instructions to vacate. Many reportedly abandoned household items inside as they rushed to safety.
Police officers were stationed outside the building on Sunday, November 1. Their presence was intended to secure the premises and prevent unauthorised entry.
Nairobi City County declared the property dangerous and ruinous on Saturday, October 31. Officials marked the building with red paint before issuing the evacuation and demolition orders.
The county notice cited violations of the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019, and the Building Code, 2024. It stated that the development had been constructed without the required planning approvals.
Authorities subsequently directed that the entire 10-storey structure be demolished. The order means affected families must find alternative accommodation following the evacuation.
The incident has renewed concerns about building safety in Nairobi. It comes as rescue teams continue searching for people trapped beneath a collapsed building in Eastleigh.
The 18-storey structure collapsed on October 23 along 9th Street on Yusuf Haji Highway. The disaster triggered a major rescue operation that has continued for more than ten days.
The National Disaster Management Unit said several survivors had been rescued. One person had been confirmed dead, while at least 11 people remained missing.
About The Author
