Moderate Earth Tremor Felt in Nairobi and Neighbouring Counties After Magnitude 5.6 Quake

Residents in Nairobi and several neighbouring counties felt the ground shake on Thursday, November 5, after an earthquake struck in the Lake Victoria region.

The tremor was reported in Nairobi, Murang’a, Kiambu and Kajiado, according to an alert issued by experts, and was recorded at approximately 12:27pm East African Time.

Magnitude 5.6 Quake in Tanzania

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), an independent provider of real-time earthquake information, confirmed a magnitude 5.6 earthquake in Tanzania that sent tremors across the border into Kenya.

According to seismic data from the EMSC, the epicentre was 17 kilometres east of Ushirombo, roughly 986 kilometres from Nairobi.

The earthquake itself struck at approximately 12:22pm in Tanzania, with the resulting tremors reaching Kenyan soil minutes later.

No Immediate Reports of Damage

There were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage in Kenya as of Thursday afternoon. Tremors of this magnitude are typically felt but rarely cause significant damage at such distances.

Kenya’s Seismic Exposure

Kenya sits near the East African Rift System, a geologically active zone that occasionally produces tremors. While major earthquakes are uncommon, the region has recorded seismic activity linked to the rift and to neighbouring Tanzania, where the Lake Victoria basin has been the source of several notable quakes.

Authorities have not issued any advisory following Thursday’s tremor.