NAIROBI, Kenya- The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to investigate the collapse of a multi-storey building in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area, including the roles of county officials, the developer and construction professionals.
In a statement dated October 26, the Office of the DPP said no inquiry file concerning possible wrongdoing in the building’s construction had previously been sent to it by Nairobi City County for review.
The DPP said the probe should establish whether any act or omission contributed to the collapse.
Investigators are to examine the planning, approval, supervision and construction of the building, including the conduct of public officials, the private developer, contractors and other professionals involved.
The DCI will forward its inquiry file to the DPP once investigations are complete.
The prosecution office said it would independently review the evidence and take legal action where it establishes criminal responsibility.
Probe follows rescue operation
The building collapsed on Friday, October 23, while under construction in the busy Eastleigh neighbourhood.
Rescue teams were still searching the rubble on Sunday.
Four people had been rescued alive, while the Kenya Red Cross said it had received reports of 47 people missing.
The DPP’s statement did not give a casualty count or identify any suspects.
It said the incident had reportedly caused injuries, property losses and people to go missing.
The office expressed sympathy to those injured and people who lost property.
It also warned developers, contractors, construction professionals and public officials against disregarding building regulations, safety standards and approval requirements, saying any criminal conduct would be dealt with under the law.
The investigation will help establish whether the collapse involved criminal conduct and who, if anyone, should face prosecution.
The DPP said it would work with investigative agencies while carrying out its constitutional mandate independently.
