Nation Team
18 July 2007
Nairobi — Powerful tremors continued to shake the country Tuesday as signs of the phenomenon continuing unabatted became apparent.
The latest occurred at around 9:15pm and 5.15 in the evening and were felt in most parts of the country.
The 5.15 p.m tremor, which measured 6.1 on the Richter scale was the most powerful since the jolts began last Thursday in Tanzania. The aftershock came four minutes after a major tremor traced to North Eastern Tanzania, shook the area around Lake Natron, the epicentre of the phenomenon. It was felt as far as Dar es Salaam.
Seismic wave
The seismic waves were also felt in Nairobi, Central, Rift Valley, Mombasa and Eastern provinces. However no reports of the tremor were received from Nyanza, Western and North Eastern provinces.
Some of the areas where the tremor was intense were parts of Nairobi, Narok, Machakos, Nakuru, Nyeri, Meru, Kericho, Thika, Naivasha, Kiambu and Embu among others. The major seismic wave, preceded ones that occurred at around 5:30am and 2:20pm yesterday.
The chairman of University of Nairobi's Geology department, Dr Eliud Mathu, said they are still trying to get in touch with the United Nations Geological Survey (UNGS) to enable them gather enough data to explain the tremors.
Have subsided
"All what I can say of now is that the magnitude of the tremors has subsided," Dr Mathu told the Nation before the evening tremor tore through almost every corner of the country.
Spokesman Dr Alfred Mutua said the government will issue a statement tomorrow afternoon after receiving a report from experts.
At the TSS Building on Nkuruma Road, Mombasa, the tremor broke some of the windows, according to residents.
In Nairobi's Komarock estate, residents said they saw high-rise buildings shake for a few seconds sending residents scampering for safety.
In Ongata Rongai, tiles on the roof of Mr George Ondoro's house were damaged by the aftershocks.
Some described the evening tremor as more frightening than ever before.
"If it shakes the buildings the way it has done today I am sure some of them will collapse," a resident of Othaya town, Richard Wahome said.
In Mwimuto area of Lower Kabete the tremor was felt in the morning and in the evening. "It was so intense in the evening that beer bottles started falling from the table," a bar owner said.
Mr Jeremiah Muti who was at Afya House said the tremor was so strong "that I said my last prayers".
In Westlands, residents said utensils fell off the table.
Meteorological Department's Assistant Director Peter Ambenje said the earlier tremors were weaker than the one experienced in the evening.
Beer bottles
The evening tremor temporarily disrupted debate in Parliament after members sought for answers as to what was shaking the August House.
Tetu member, Prof Wangari Maathai, was on her feet, contributing on the budget for the Ministry of Education
In Mombasa, Hussein Mamu of the Kenya Ports Authority saw computers in the office shaking for about 16 seconds. The tremor was also felt in Likoni.
In Embu, Robert Mwamba who was at Tebere building said he saw cabinets shaking while in Kericho Mr Victor Diggol who was taking tea with friends in one storey building saw teacups shaking.
Reports by Jeff Otieno, Wachira Muchemi, Fred Mukinda, Odhiambo Orlale, Sollo Kiragu and Oliver Musembi
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