This archive report was first published on 27 August 2021.
On Thursday, a devastating accident occurred at a construction site in Nairobi's Hurlingham area, where a tower crane collapsed, killing nine workers and injuring one.
The victims, including two Chinese men, were in a group of ten workers dismantling the crane after concluding exterior painting works before it suddenly collapsed.
The 14-storey students' hostel, owned by Acorn Holdings, is nearing completion opposite the Department of Defence headquarters in Hurlingham.
70 metres ¶
According to eyewitnesses, the crane collapsed from a height of about 70 metres above the ground, causing a scene of horror as nine badly mutilated bodies lay on the ground.
"We were having lunch when we heard things falling and thought part of the building was coming down," said Michael Odhiambo, a 27-year-old construction worker.
"When we got there, we found a crane had snapped and tumbled down," he added, describing the tragic scene.
Full investigation ¶
Following the incident, ZJCC Engineering and Construction Company, the Chinese firm undertaking the project, sent condolences to the affected families and offered a full probe into the incident.
"We have since sealed off the site and are collaborating with the Kenya Police Service and the Directorate of Occupational Safety & Health Services (DOSHS) in conducting further investigations into the incident," the company stated.
This is the second fatal incident involving a Qwetu hostel project in five months, raising concerns about the company's safety record.
