A woman's dismembered body has been found in the debris of the 18-storey building that collapsed in Eastleigh, Nairobi, nearly 10 days after the tragedy. The body was discovered as rescuers continued to search for survivors and victims of the October 23 collapse. The building, which was under construction, came down trapping an unknown number of people under tonnes of concrete and rubble. The Kenya Red Cross and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations are working to establish the identity of the woman through DNA analysis.
Six people have been rescued so far, but 16 are still missing, according to the Kenya Red Cross and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. Phone-signal tracing has placed at least nine of the missing individuals at the site of the collapse. The authorities are working to account for all those who were on site when the building collapsed. Relatives, colleagues, and friends of the missing are growing anxious as the search and rescue operation continues.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has asked the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to investigate possible negligence and misconduct by public officials and the project's owners. The DPP has vowed to prosecute those suspected of criminal liability, irrespective of their status. This move comes as investigators examine possible breaches of construction regulations and lapses that may have contributed to the tragedy.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has stated that the building lacked county approval and an occupation certificate, and that the developer proceeded illegally. He has called for tougher penalties against rogue developers. However, the contractor claims that the necessary approvals were sought and granted. This discrepancy has raised questions about the approval process and enforcement of regulations in Nairobi City County.
Construction professionals have alleged that City Hall's online approval system is deliberately disrupted, while critics and reports point to widespread enforcement gaps fueled by greed. These claims suggest that there may be a deeper issue with the regulation and oversight of construction projects in Nairobi. The authorities must investigate these allegations and take steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The rescue operation is ongoing, but the process of clearing the debris will take time due to the size of the building. The authorities are working to establish the cause of the collapse and to hold those responsible accountable. The community is coming together to support the families of the victims and those affected by the tragedy.
As the investigation continues, the authorities have a critical task ahead of them to uncover the truth behind the apparent approvals racket in Nairobi City County. The public is calling for greater accountability and action to be taken against those responsible for the tragedy. The government must take concrete steps to prevent such incidents in the future, including stepping up inspections and surveillance, and enforcing safety regulations.
Key points
- The woman's body was found nearly 10 days after the building collapse in Nairobi.
- 16 people are still missing, with phone-signal tracing placing at least nine of them at the site.
- The authorities are investigating possible breaches of construction regulations and lapses that may have contributed to the tragedy.
