The Nairobi County government has shut down a construction site along Juja Road over safety and environmental violations by a private developer.
In a statement on his official X account on Wednesday, October 4, the Chief Officer for Environment in the Nairobi County Government, Geoffrey Mosiria, said that the closure was initiated after locals complained that the site lacked proper protective measures, which in turn led to falling debris and dust.
Mosiria noted that the construction site will remain closed until the developer meets the required environmental and safety standards. One supervisor at the site was also arrested for negligence.
"Today, along Juja Road, we responded to persistent complaints from residents regarding a developer who was carrying out construction without proper protective measures," Mosiria stated.
"Debris from the site was falling onto neighbouring properties, and dust was spreading into nearby homes and even hospitals, making it extremely difficult for residents to cope," he added.
Mosiria affirmed that his department will reinforce its crackdown on such construction sites across the city to ensure compliance and safety.
The announcement came two days after two pupils lost their lives and two others were injured in the Kayole area after construction debris from a neighbouring building site collapsed onto the school compound.
The incident happened at the Emmanuel New Life Learning Centre on the afternoon of Monday, October 6.
According to reports, the pupils were washing their hands after taking lunch when the debris landed on them.
Images from the scene painted a worrying picture, with some of the construction bricks, believed to have caused the injuries, being broken.
The injured ones were rushed to the Uwezo Clinic for emergency treatment before being referred to Mama Lucy Hospital.
Following the incident, authorities kick-started investigations at the site to establish whether the construction of the building met the necessary safety and regulatory standards.
