Search and rescue operations were yesterday evening concluded at the site of a three-storey building that collapsed in Murang’a town claiming five lives. Four other people were rescued from the debris and were taken to Murang’a level five hospital. State department for Public Works Principal Secretary Joel Arumonyang, speaking to the press at the scene of the tragedy, said that as a state department they were keen on regulations and they have engaged with the building code which is part of the strategy to address this issue and is currently before the senate. He also said that the department wants to engage the national assembly to be able to address the regulatory issues facing the construction sector adding that there is the building control bill which is also dealing with addressing the gaps in the building sector. ‘We have covered 26 counties and through the National Building Inspectorate (NBI) will continue doing this for all those buildings that are occupied,’ Arumonyang said. The PS said that through the National Construction Authority (NCA), they will ensure vigilance and called on professionals to give their best in terms of supervision. NCA Chief Executive Officer Mr. Maurice Aketch stated that the relevant authorities had commenced investigations into the actual cause of the collapse that happened on Monday, June 19, 2023 ‘We are very keen as NCA to ensure all constructions happening in the country comply with all the regulatory requirements and especially standards to maintain quality, safety and the wellbeing of Kenyans and the environment,’ he said. The National Building Inspectorate (NBI) secretary Samuel Charagu, said that their work is to inspect all the buildings in the country especially those that are occupied to check for safety. ‘We have been going around the country and have covered 26 counties checking the status of buildings,’ Charagu said. ‘We have this far inspected 19605 buildings across the country of which 919 which is about 5 percent have been found to be dangerous,’ he added. He said that as the NBI they come in to inspect buildings after they have been occupied. ‘We work as a multi sectoral team with the county governments and the disaster management unit as well as the police,’ he said, adding that they liaise with the police to evacuate the occupants if a building is considered unsafe. Also at the scene, the county police commander, David Mathiu, said that the necessary legal action will be taken against anyone found to have broken the law and endangered the lives of Kenyans. Murang’a Governor Dr Irungu Kang’ata, also assured residents that the county government will take the necessary action on all people found to have played a part in compromising the standards of the collapsed building.
Source: Kenya News Agency