Two construction workers die in crane accident

The crane malfunctioned. [Phares Mutembei, Standard]

Two construction workers died after they fell off a crane in Makutano, Meru County on Monday.

The workers were in the process of plastering the exterior of the fifth floor when the crane malfunctioned and they fell off and landed on the concrete ground below.

A third worker who was also in the container cheated death after holding onto a window, sustaining bruises in the process.

Witnesses said the three were plastering when suddenly the crane swung and the workers fell off.

"It was a shocking accident because there was absolutely nothing to break their fall. The third worker was lucky that he survived," said George Mwiti, a witness.

Witnesses said the workers lacked the requisite protective clothing and demanded that the National Construction Authority (NCA) play its role effectively to avoid such accidents.

Residents mill around the scene of the crane accident. [Phares Mutembei, Standard]

Ahmed Awino who was acting as the leader of some of the workers, said the deceased were his friends, and they had just started working on Monday, after arriving in Meru on Saturday.

"The two who died had just finished painting a section of the upper floor. They waited for their colleague to finish for them to go to the next level below, but the crane suddenly emptied them," said Awino.

"They were my friends and we are very shocked at what has just happened," he said.

Imenti North sub-county police boss Ezekiel Chepkwony said they had started investigations and appealed to the NCA to ensure safety measures at construction sites were effected.

"The workers were painting the building while on the crane when it malfunctioned and they fell off. Two died on the spot and a third person survived. It is an unfortunate incident. My appeal to those who are doing construction to be very careful and take workers' safety very seriously to avoid such incident that occurred today," Mr Chepkwony said.

The police boss asked the Authority to ensure contractors guarantee the safety of workers to avoid accidents.

"Investigations will be done to find out if construction safety regulations were followed. We cannot blame anyone at the moment, but investigations are ongoing. We will know if there is any party who flouted regulations, and lawful action will be taken if any is found culpable," he said.