Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NAIROBI393
2006-01-27 08:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
NAIROBI BUILDING COLLAPSE: RESCUE MISSION
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHNR #0393 0270801 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 270801Z JAN 06 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9222 INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 8156 RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM PRIORITY 4432 RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI PRIORITY 3938 RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY 1098 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1847 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1830 RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ-3E/CCJ5// RHMFISS/CJTF HOA //POLAD//
UNCLAS NAIROBI 000393
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
USAID FOR DCHA FOR WGARVELINK; USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA,
GGOTTLIEB, MMARTY, IMCNAIRN; USAID FOR AFR/EA, JBORNS;
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID MASS PREL AMGT ASEC KE
SUBJECT: NAIROBI BUILDING COLLAPSE: RESCUE MISSION
CONCLUDES
REF: NAIROBI 342
UNCLAS NAIROBI 000393
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
USAID FOR DCHA FOR WGARVELINK; USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA,
GGOTTLIEB, MMARTY, IMCNAIRN; USAID FOR AFR/EA, JBORNS;
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID MASS PREL AMGT ASEC KE
SUBJECT: NAIROBI BUILDING COLLAPSE: RESCUE MISSION
CONCLUDES
REF: NAIROBI 342
1. SUMMARY: As U.S., Israeli and British rescue teams
wrapped-up their much-appreciated operations on January 26,
the Kenyan government transitioned the rescue operation to
recovery, with a reported three more bodies pulled from the
rubble overnight. At a January 26 remembrance ceremony
held at the building collapse site, the Ambassador
expressed his condolences and his appreciation for the
rapid and comprehensive emergency response. While
highlighting bureaucratic culpability in not averting the
disaster, the government pledged to pay medical and funeral
expenses for victims. END SUMMARY.
RESCUE TO RECOVERY
--------------
2. The government of Kenya stated on January 26 that there
had been 14 deaths and 105 injured individuals, as a result
of the January 23 central Nairobi building collapse, but
did not indicate how many people might still be missing.
Media reports, however, noted that three more bodies had
been pulled from the rubble during the night of January 25.
Government spokesman Alfred Mutua announced a plan on
January 25 to fund the funeral and medical expenses of
victims as well as an initiative to establish a foundation
for ongoing assistance to survivors.
RESCUERS PREPARE TO LEAVE
--------------
3. Marking the conclusion of the U.S., Israeli, and
British rescue missions, officials organized a remembrance
ceremony on January 26, at which the Ambassador expressed
his condolences for the lives lost and his appreciation for
the coordinated rescue effort. Officials present at the
event, including Local Government Minister Musikari Kombo
and Minister for Special Programs John Munyes, lavishly
praised the contribution of U.S., Kenyan, Israeli, and
British rescuers. The Israeli Defense Force deployed 120
personnel with the necessary equipment from their Homeland
Command, which is responsible for rapid search and rescue.
Under the command of Major General Gershon, the Israelis
were able to organize and control the search and rescue
effort. The U.S. Navy Seabees, who received extensive
positive press coverage, were integrated into the effort
alongside Kenyans, Israelis, and British.
GOVERNMENT BLAMES CORRUPTION
--------------
4. Citing irregularities in the construction approval
process, media reports on January 26 noted that Minister
Kombo blamed corruption at City Hall for the accident.
Speaking at the January 26 ceremony, the Minister announced
that in addition to four city council members he had
suspended immediately after the accident, he had recently
suspended 3 more officials. Structural drawings for the
building had never been properly filed, Kombo added.
Minister Munyes renewed the governments pledge to put in
place effective regulations and investigate those
responsible for the tragedy.
BELLAMY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
USAID FOR DCHA FOR WGARVELINK; USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA,
GGOTTLIEB, MMARTY, IMCNAIRN; USAID FOR AFR/EA, JBORNS;
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID MASS PREL AMGT ASEC KE
SUBJECT: NAIROBI BUILDING COLLAPSE: RESCUE MISSION
CONCLUDES
REF: NAIROBI 342
1. SUMMARY: As U.S., Israeli and British rescue teams
wrapped-up their much-appreciated operations on January 26,
the Kenyan government transitioned the rescue operation to
recovery, with a reported three more bodies pulled from the
rubble overnight. At a January 26 remembrance ceremony
held at the building collapse site, the Ambassador
expressed his condolences and his appreciation for the
rapid and comprehensive emergency response. While
highlighting bureaucratic culpability in not averting the
disaster, the government pledged to pay medical and funeral
expenses for victims. END SUMMARY.
RESCUE TO RECOVERY
--------------
2. The government of Kenya stated on January 26 that there
had been 14 deaths and 105 injured individuals, as a result
of the January 23 central Nairobi building collapse, but
did not indicate how many people might still be missing.
Media reports, however, noted that three more bodies had
been pulled from the rubble during the night of January 25.
Government spokesman Alfred Mutua announced a plan on
January 25 to fund the funeral and medical expenses of
victims as well as an initiative to establish a foundation
for ongoing assistance to survivors.
RESCUERS PREPARE TO LEAVE
--------------
3. Marking the conclusion of the U.S., Israeli, and
British rescue missions, officials organized a remembrance
ceremony on January 26, at which the Ambassador expressed
his condolences for the lives lost and his appreciation for
the coordinated rescue effort. Officials present at the
event, including Local Government Minister Musikari Kombo
and Minister for Special Programs John Munyes, lavishly
praised the contribution of U.S., Kenyan, Israeli, and
British rescuers. The Israeli Defense Force deployed 120
personnel with the necessary equipment from their Homeland
Command, which is responsible for rapid search and rescue.
Under the command of Major General Gershon, the Israelis
were able to organize and control the search and rescue
effort. The U.S. Navy Seabees, who received extensive
positive press coverage, were integrated into the effort
alongside Kenyans, Israelis, and British.
GOVERNMENT BLAMES CORRUPTION
--------------
4. Citing irregularities in the construction approval
process, media reports on January 26 noted that Minister
Kombo blamed corruption at City Hall for the accident.
Speaking at the January 26 ceremony, the Minister announced
that in addition to four city council members he had
suspended immediately after the accident, he had recently
suspended 3 more officials. Structural drawings for the
building had never been properly filed, Kombo added.
Minister Munyes renewed the governments pledge to put in
place effective regulations and investigate those
responsible for the tragedy.
BELLAMY