Four Critically Injured, 17 Hurt After Three-Storey Building Collapses in Kericho

A three-storey building collapsed in the Kaptebeswet Bypass area of Kericho County on March 18, 2026, leaving four people in critical condition and 17 with minor injuries, while at least 22 individuals were rescued from the debris.

Emergency response teams, including the Kenya Red Cross, the Kenya Police Service, county fire brigade, three county ambulances, and officials from the National Government Administrative Officers, were on site coordinating rescue efforts.

“Twenty-two people have been rescued following the building collapse. Seventeen sustained minor injuries and received first aid at the scene, while four are in critical condition,” the Red Cross confirmed.

The cause of the collapse has not yet been determined, and authorities have launched investigations. Kericho County Commissioner Jeremiah Mwai Gicheru confirmed that all relevant agencies from both county and national government are involved in the ongoing rescue operations.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that one person may have died in the incident. Authorities have urged developers to strictly adhere to construction standards to prevent similar tragedies.

This incident is part of a worrying trend of building collapses across Kenya this year. On March 18, four people died after a partially demolished building collapsed at Blue Estate in Shauri Moyo, prompting the Kenya Defence Forces to assist in rescue operations. 

Earlier, on January 2, at least two people were feared dead when a multi-storey building under construction collapsed at the South C Shopping Centre in Nairobi.

The Engineers Board of Kenya has repeatedly attributed such incidents to rogue developers, poor construction practices, and the exclusion of registered professional engineers from projects. 

Issues cited include bypassing regulations, employing unlicensed personnel, and neglecting structural standards, often compounded by weak regulatory oversight.

In a joint statement, over 10 engineering bodies revealed that more than 200 buildings have collapsed in Kenya since 1996, warning that a culture of impunity has allowed such tragedies to persist.

The government has also issued stern warnings. Alice Wahome cautioned developers, contractors, and officials that they will face the “burden of punishment” if found responsible for constructing or approving unsafe buildings.