Woman dies after building collapses at Akala Market in Siaya
The building in Akala Market in Gem, Siaya County that collapsed and killed a woman on March 28, 2026.
What you need to know:
- Caroline Anyango was just setting up her business at the market when she lost her life.
- The deceased tried to flee from the crumbling structure, but falling debris struck her.
A tragic scene unfolded at Akala Market, Gem in Siaya County on Saturday afternoon after a section of an aging building suddenly gave way, claiming the life of a woman.
Ms Caroline Anyango Adede, a 45-year-old M-Pesa shop attendant, was caught in the chaos after a massive pillar broke loose and came crashing down.
She tried to flee from the crumbling structure, but the falling debris struck her before she could reach safety.
Ms Beatrice Akinyi, a fellow trader, arrived at the market around 10:30 am, at a time when deep cracks had already appeared along the building’s walls, a clear indication of the impending disaster.
The building in Akala Market in Gem, Siaya County that collapsed and killed a woman on March 28, 2026.
According to Ms Akinyi, a concerned man at the scene noticed that the pillars were weakening and urged her to move her child away from the structure. She heeded to the warning and moved to safety.
Tragically, Ms Anyango was just setting up her business when she was killed by the heavy blocks that fell on her.
“The building started shaking and when the pillars started tumbling down, Mama Caroline tried fleeing but slipped. It is at this point that the blocks fell on her and she died,” said Ms Akinyi.
Ms Akinyi blamed the collapse on the cracks that had developed due to the age of the structure.
Siaya County Director of Disaster and Special Programmes, George Aora, said the building was poorly constructed and may have been weakened by the ongoing heavy rains.
Traders at Akala Market in Gem, Siaya County mill around the scene of an accident where a woman died after a building collapsed on her on March 28, 2026.
He confirmed that no other injuries were reported and noted that the remaining part of the structure will be assessed, with possible demolition if found unsafe to prevent further loss of life.
The County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Morris Otieno, said they have already launched investigations into the incident.
The body of the deceased was moved to Bondo Sub County Hospital awaiting post-mortem.
Meanwhile, Morris Otieno, Siaya County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, said investigations are underway to establish the cause of the collapse.
He also revealed plans by the county government to construct modern markets and relocate traders from roadside areas to enhance safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.
