Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is facing fresh pressure to explain his administration’s handling of the Eastleigh building collapse following a statement by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) indicating that it had not received an inquiry file from the county government regarding the construction of the building.
The disclosure has raised questions about earlier remarks attributed to the governor concerning the submission of information on officials and other individuals implicated in the controversial construction.
The MCA for South B is now demanding that Sakaja publicly clarify his statements and provide documentary evidence showing whether his administration forwarded details of those responsible for the building’s construction to investigative or prosecutorial authorities.
In a statement issued on October 26, the MCA said the ODPP’s position had created a discrepancy that required an immediate and transparent explanation from the county chief.
Waithera pointed to paragraph two of the ODPP statement, which states that, as of the date of its communication, the office had not received an inquiry file from Nairobi City County Government concerning alleged malfeasance by the private developer, professionals or county officials involved in the building’s construction.
The disclosure puts the spotlight on the county government’s response to concerns surrounding the development and whether the appropriate authorities were engaged before the building collapsed.
She challenged Sakaja to disclose when any information was submitted, which agencies received it and what action followed.
“If the governor maintains that his administration submitted the names of the officials implicated in the building’s construction, he must now provide documentary evidence showing when the information was submitted, which authorities received it and what action was taken,” the statement said.
The MCA cautioned against treating the tragedy as a public relations matter, arguing that the loss of lives, destruction of property and danger faced by residents demanded accountability from all those involved.
However, the ODPP’s statement, as cited by the MCA, does not by itself establish that Sakaja deliberately misled the public. Rather, the absence of an inquiry file from the county government raises questions about the sequence of events and the accuracy of the public accounts surrounding the case.
Waithera said Nairobi residents deserved a clear account of what the county government knew about the building, the action it took and whether its public statements reflected the facts.
The demands come amid growing scrutiny of the systems used to approve, supervise and enforce building regulations in the capital, particularly following the collapse of the multi-storey structure in Eastleigh.
The incident has renewed concerns about development approvals, construction supervision and the enforcement of building standards in densely populated neighbourhoods where structural failures can have devastating consequences.
She also called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the building’s planning, approval, supervision and construction, in line with the ODPP’s directions.
The investigation, the MCA said, should establish the respective responsibilities of county officials, the developer, contractors and professionals involved in the project.
Those found to have breached the law should face prosecution or other appropriate legal consequences, regardless of their positions or political connections, the statement added.
She insisted that the governor should publicly clarify his earlier remarks and provide evidence of any communication or submissions made to investigative agencies.
The dispute places renewed attention on City Hall’s oversight of construction projects and the accountability of officials responsible for ensuring that buildings comply with approved plans and safety requirements.
