Panic and uncertainty gripped parts of Nairobi on Wednesday, May 7 morning after residents across the city reported experiencing a sudden earth tremor that left many shaken and confused.
The tremor, which reportedly occurred between 10:30 a.m. and 10:40 a.m., was felt in areas including Westlands, Parklands, Kangemi and as far as Mlolongo and other satellite towns. Though brief, the tremor caused enough disturbance to raise alarm among residents, many of whom rushed out of buildings fearing further shocks.
“I was working on the third floor when everything started vibrating lightly. At first, I thought it was a heavy truck passing nearby, but then the windows and doors started rattling,” said Mary Wambui, a shop owner in Parklands. “It was scary. We all ran outside.”
According to Earthquake Monitor, a global seismic activity tracker, early indications suggest that the tremor may have originated near Mlolongo before spreading to other regions of the capital.
“We are receiving unverified early reports of ground shaking possibly caused by seismic activity in or near Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya, on May 7, 2025 (GMT) at approximately 07:36 GMT,” the organization stated.
However, the exact magnitude and depth of the tremor remain unknown. Earthquake Monitor noted that “more accurate data” was expected to emerge after seismic assessments are completed.
Witnesses across the affected areas described the tremor as a weak but unmistakable shaking of the ground, with some buildings swaying slightly and items vibrating indoors.
This incident comes barely a week after a much stronger tremor struck the coastal counties of Mombasa and Kilifi on April 28, sparking widespread alarm along the Indian Ocean shoreline. Residents of Vipingo, Watamu, Malindi, Takaungu and Voi reported the quake as the most intense in recent memory. Data from the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) revealed that the coastal quake reached a depth of 10 kilometers and was recorded across 13 seismic stations.
As Nairobi awaits official confirmation on the strength and origin of Wednesday’s tremor, residents are urged to remain calm and follow safety protocols in the event of aftershocks.
“No damage has been reported so far,” said a Nairobi County disaster response officer. “But we advise the public to stay alert and avoid risky structures until we have a full report from geological experts.”
Kenya has experienced mild seismic activity in recent years, but back-to-back tremors have raised fresh concerns over preparedness in urban and coastal zones.
Authorities are expected to issue a formal statement once geological data is verified.
