A seismograph measures intensity of earthquakes/ AFP File
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 17 – An earth tremor was felt around Nairobi and outlying towns on Tuesday morning following an earthquake in the Indian Ocean Ridge.
The tremor was felt as far as Limuru, Machakos and Konza shortly after 5am, in what the Kenya Meteorological Department later attributed to a 4.9 magnitude earthquake that had occurred in the Indian Ocean at 1.41am.
Meteorological Services Assistant Director Ayub Shaka told Capital FM News that the quake was mild and was not likely to have a major impact.
“It came after an earthquake hit the Indian Ocean at coordinates 67.92 E and 20.01S,” he said.
“We are on the lookout for any further incidents and we will advice the public as appropriate.”
A resident of Nairobi recounted how he was woken up by the tremor.
“I heard my roof shaking so I asked my wife whether she could hear the sound and she said yes. So I listened keenly and realised that it was a tremor that lasted about six seconds,” George Otieno, a guard working in the central Business District said.
The news of the tremor was quick to hit the social media with the trend #tremor where Kenyans shared their experiences.
@KenyaRedCross tweeted: Reports of #Tremor felt in most parts of Nairobi, reaching out to our #iVolunteers to report where it was felt and share your experience.
@NjorogeKimani: That was definitely a tremor! I felt my bed shake.
@mmurumba: Most #ArsenalFans felt this morning’s #Tremor. These fellows have hardly slept last night.
@zexynellys: If u never felt that #tremor means u dont sleep bt die at night! Was#strong
But a skeptical @coldtusker hit out at Kenyans. “So….Kenyans will waste millions of man-hours discussing a 10-second tremor….#watchthisspace coz #ThisIsKenya
Did you experience the tremor? Share with us where you were and what you felt.
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