Tragedy struck in the Heni area of Nyandarua County after a 57-year-old bishop lost his life when a church building under construction collapsed, trapping him under debris.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on the evening of August 13 as the bishop, identified as Johana Kibue, and his two children were working on the construction site of HM Israel Church, which he owned and led.
Bishop Trapped While Children Escape
Authorities confirmed that Kibue, who was not only the spiritual leader but also the mason working on the project, was caught under the falling structure. His two children, who were assisting him, managed to escape without injuries.
“He was with his children at the church carrying out construction works when it collapsed and trapped him. The children escaped unhurt,” police said in their statement.
Local residents and police officers joined efforts to retrieve the bishop’s body from the rubble. His remains were later moved to the mortuary for a post-mortem examination.
Ongoing Investigations
Police and Nyandarua County officials visited the scene on Wednesday to assess the cause of the collapse. Investigations are underway to determine cause of the accident.
This incident adds to a growing list of construction-related tragedies in Kenya. According to a National Construction Authority report, improper building practices and lack of adherence to safety regulations remain leading causes of such disasters.
For more coverage of Nyandarua County news and national updates, visit our Kenya news section.
