Members of the Kiambu County Assembly Finance Committee have recommended the demolition of a 15-floor building in Juja sub county over violation of safety laws.At the same time, the team is demanding Sh 60 million from owners of the structure in unpaid revenue to the county government.
The committee led by the chairman Zack Mbugua (Kiuu ward) and Vice-Chairman James Kamau (Kikuyu) expressed shock after learning that only five floors were initially approved but 10 more were irregularly added to the structure under unclear circumstances.
Incidentally an order was issued on October 19 last year by the County Executive Committee for the demolition of the building which is about 100 meters from the Juja sub county offices, but construction continued unabated.
“We are shocked that a building that was approved for 5 floors has gone up to 15 floors in total disregard of safety issues and putting the lives of our people to grave risk. This is impunity of the worst order,”Kamau said.
Addressing journalists after conducting an impromptu tour of the house, the committee members also expressed concern over a petrol station under construction within the premises.
They asked Governor Kimani Wamatangi to intervene and ensure the building is pulled down before disaster strikes.At some point the presser was disrupted when a woman said to be one of the partners of the project stormed the place and started shouting.
“The law must be followed, over the last two to three months we have lost lives of our people following the collapse of buildings,”Mbugua said.
The MCAs move comes less than two months after a 6-storey building in Ruiru sub county collapsed hours after 200 occupants were evacuated.
Before that at least five other people were killed by collapsed buildings in Kirigiti, Kiambu town and Ruaka area of Kiambaa constituency.
