A man and a girl were yesterday rescued after 48 hours  in the rubble of a building that collapsed in Tassia Estate, Embakasi East constituency.

 A multi-agency team led by Kenya Defence Forces rescued the 25-year-old man and the girl from the debris. They had been in constant communication with the rescuers.

So far, 10 people have been confirmed dead while 31 have been injured with 24 believed to be missing.

Embakasi assistant County Commissioner James Wanyoike commended the work of the multi agency group for their diligence, even as he revealed that unknown number of people were still unaccounted for.

Boost morale

“The rescue of the two boosts the morale of the team who continue to work day and night to make sure lives are saved,” he said.

The two are receiving treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital.

The six-storey building collapsed on Friday trapping the unknown number of tenants.

Nairobi Regional Commissioner Wilson Njega said the building had 57 rooms and was difficult to place a figure on how many tenants were in during the tragedy.

Government officials are yet to give a report on what led to the collapse of the building but have promised to carry out a thorough investigation.

Meanwhile, an eight-year-old boy who escaped death is appealing to his “lost” father to come to his rescue after his mother and sister died in the tragedy. 

Joel Wanjala, who was rescued on Friday, came out of the debris with only scratches on his right ear.

In the company of his elder brother John Nyongesa and uncle Edwin Maghoha, the boy said his wish was to be reunited with his father.

Boy’s appeal

His uncle said Joel’s father Chrispinus Wanjala deserted the family a year ago after a disagreement with his wife.

“The boy’s wish is to unite with the father at this time of need and grief after losing his mother and sister,” said Maghoha.

He said the mother was the sole breadwinner and with her death, the child had no one to cater for him.

“Children are innocent of what happened between the two of you and they are looking upon you to come back and offer them parental care and guidance,” he appealed.

Joel, who is in Class Five, has been left with his elder brother who is in Form Three and they are being hosted by Maghoha in South B.

Nyongesa survived the tragedy because he was visiting a friend on the night the house collapsed.

“We were living together in the ill-fated building on third floor and my visit to a friend saved me,” he said. 

Nyongesa is grateful that his younger brother had survived, even as he mourns the loss of his mother and sister.