State demolishes unsafe buildings in Nairobi

The government has started demolishing buildings that are dangerous to occupy in Nairobi.

The multi-agency operation that is being spearheaded by the National Buildings Inspectorate and the National Construction Authority kicked off in Zimmerman where a four-storey building was demolished.

The building was substandard and had started developing cracks, officials said.

"The building was constructed in a swampy area and its foundation had started sinking. It was posing a great danger to the occupants and the neighbouring houses," said NCA official who requested anonymity because he is a junior officer and is not authorised to speak on behalf of the agency.

Tenants vacated the building last year when NCA marked it for demolition.

The building is said to be owned by six people and two of them were still living there.

Police evicted them by force Wednesday morning before it was brought down.

According to NCA, two other buildings are targeted for demolition in Zimmerman, three in Kariobangi, five in Huruma and one in Mathare.