Corruption at City Hall to blame for collapsed building-Sonko
The mega corruption at City Hall is to blame for the deaths at Huruma Nairobi senator Mike Sonko has said.
President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered the arrest of the owner of the building which collapsed at Huruma estate on Friday night, leaving 10 people dead.
“More Kenyans risk being killed by the many buildings in the city that are not approved and not built to the required standards,” Sonko told the Star on Saturday.
Sonko asked governor Evans Kidero to sack “corrupt and uncouth officers” who allowed the building to be put up.
Earlier the Nairobi deputy Governor Jonathan Mueke said the building was not approved since it was built near a river.
“Corruption is to blame. We tried in the past to ensure that there is strict adherence to building laws in the city but the cartel has continued with its work,” Sonko said.
He said they had come up with measures to regularize all buildings and ensure that each with five floors has a lift.
“All substandard buildings had been earmarked for demolition but this did not happen,” he said adding that he will continue to help the affected families through his “Sonko rescue team”.
Ngei MCA Dan Mutiso said the owner of the collapsed building, identified as Samuel Kamau, had many other flats which are alleged to have been hurriedly built therefore risky for occupants.
Kamau is reported to own at least six flats in Ngei town.
Mutiso acused the man of compromising county officials at City Hall to approve his building plans.
“The man builds flats hurriedly. Within three months, a six-storey building will be already occupied. He plays around with his money and any one crossing his path and opposing his plans is bribed straight away,” he added.
Uhuru further instructed the Interior ministry and the Nairobi county government to survey of houses that are at risk of crumbling.
Uhuru was accompanied by Mathare MP Stephen Kariuki, Nairobi Women Rep Rachael Shebesh and Dagoretti South Constituency Dennis Waweru.
Rescue operations continued at the site for a better part of Saturday in efforts to save those feared trapped under the rubble.
-the-star.co.ke
