This archive report was first published on 10 June 2020.
Heavy rains have been pounding Kericho town, causing widespread destruction and chaos. In one tragic incident, a six-year-old boy was trapped in a collapsed building after he dashed back to collect something he had left behind.
The boy, who was evacuated from the building along with five other family members, was trapped when the four-storey building in Tebs View Court, Kericho town along Taita Towett road collapsed.
Area Sub County Police Commandant, Patrick Olweny, confirmed that the body was retrieved at midnight. He assured that all members of the six families living in the building had been accounted for, but requested them to register everyone who was inside, including visitors, to ensure no one was left behind.
Olweny said different teams, including engineers from Kericho County Government Public Works Department, the Fire Department, Police, and the Kenya Red Cross Society, were working together to dig through the rubble and ensure there were no other human bodies.
He added that the teams were also investigating the cause of the collapse, with initial reports suggesting the building might have been built on a sewer route.
The building collapsed on Tuesday at around 7:30pm, and rescue efforts were ongoing throughout the night.
