Jeff Otieno And Muchemi Wachira
16 July 2007
Nairobi — Successive earth tremors tore through various parts of the country causing panic among residents.
The tremors, which hit the country at different times on Saturday and yesterday, were aftershocks of an earthquake whose epicentre was traced to northeastern Tanzania and measured between 4.5 and 5.4 on the Richter scale.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey Information Centre, the Saturday's tremor measured 4.5 on Richter scale, while that one that shook the country yesterday hit 5.4. The agency said the Sunday tremor took place at around 2.24pm local time, while the Saturday one took place at 3.23pm local time.
The U.S.-based organisation said the location of both tremors was in an area between 2.683 degrees south and 36.172 degrees east and occurred about 10km underground.
The head of meteorology in Tanzania, Dr Mohammed Mhita, confirmed the incident saying the tremor originated in the country and measured 5.4 on the Richter scale.
Three provinces
The tremor was felt in three provinces of Nairobi, Central and Eastern and occurred in intervals of between five and 10 minutes.
Frightened residents inundated the Nation switchboard with calls, fearing a much stronger earthquake might occur.
The commissioner of Mines and Geology, Mr Lojomon Biwott, said more information would be released today after a report is received from the Seismological Centre at the University of Nairobi's Chiromo campus.
However, Mr Biwott said the tremor was weak, noting that such low magnitude vibrations had been recorded in the past.
"They allow for gradual release of energy and stress leading to minimal damage," said the commissioner of Mines and Geology.
Apart from Nairobi and Nyeri, other parts where the tremor was felt include Kiambu, Murang'a South, and Kirinyaga districts.
In Nairobi, the tremor shook several buildings, including the Nation Centre, which houses the Nation Media Group.
At Nation Centre, the tremor was felt shortly after 2pm.
Prof Isaac Nyambok, a Geology lecturer at the University of the Nairobi, said Kenya was more prone to tremors than earthquakes as the tectonic plates in the region were pulling apart rather than moving over each other.
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