On Wednesday morning at around 8.30am, a four storey building that was under construction collapsed at Mwembe in Kisii Town.

Emergency teams led by the County’s Disaster Management Unit and National Government security agencies are leading rescue operations. So far, three lives have been lost and 15 others were injured and are admitted in various hospitals in Kisii Town.

His Excellency the Governor James Ongwae has sent a message of condolence to the bereaved families and wishes the injured quick recovery. The Governor thanks volunteers and local residents for joining in the rescue efforts and called on well-wishers to donate food, water, clothing and other equipment.

The Governor expressed concern over the collapse of yet another building and called for strict adherence to rules and regulations governing housing development in the County.

Majority of the casualties are construction workers while one of the dead is a class seven pupil at a local primary school. Governor Ongwae and County Commissioner Godfrey Kigochi visited the scene. They directed engineers to avail excavators and other construction equipment to help in rescue efforts.

Already, a command centre has been established and counsellors from Kenya Red Cross are on site helping affected families.

Specialized teams from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) have already been dispatched and they are expected in Kisii late today.

Well-wishers can channel their support through the command centre situated near the site of the collapsed building.