Suspended county official approved collapsed Murang’a building

The four storey building that collapsed on Monday killing at least three people in Murang’a town was approved in June last year by the former county administration.

Governor Irungu Kang’ata says the officer who approved the construction of the ill-fated building was suspended two months ago over claims that he used to solicit for bribes to approve building plans.

He was also found at fault for failing to keep proper records of the buildings he had approved and for failing to remit payments for approved buildings.

“We could not trace any document regarding this building that collapsed yesterday,” the governor said.

Kang’ata who spoke at the site where the building stood said punitive action will be taken against county officials who will be found to have engaged in corruption the especially in the approval of buildings.

Further, he the county government will undertake an inspection of all ongoing construction works to avert a recurrence of the incident.

He noted that the County Executive Committee Member for Lands and Physical Planning Winnie Mwangi is an expert in the field and will help streamline the sector.

Kang’ata, however, commended the Kenya Defence Forces officers, the County Disaster Management team a nd Redcross officials for carrying out a search and rescue operation overnight to recover missing construction workers who had been trapped in the rubble.

“Seven people are yet to be found and we will not leave until they are all found. We will also provide psychological help for the families of those whose kin have died in the building,” Kang’ata said.

County Commissioner Patrick Mukuria confirmed that 14 people were in the building when it collapsed and that three were found dead.

One more person who had been rescued and taken to Murang’a Level Five Hospital for treatment also succumbed to his injuries.

“The response team is being led by a multi-agency team including the Red Cross, the fire brigade and the local security team,” Mukuria said.