A multi-governmental agency team has issued an ultimatum to tenants living in the apartment adjacent to the Kinoo building that collapsed on Saturday, March 5.
While speaking to the media at the scene on Monday, March 7, the National Construction Authority (NCA) boss, Maurice Aketch stated that the collapsed building had interfered with the structural integrity of the adjacent building stating that it was no longer safe.
The tenants were ordered to vacate the building immediately with the collapsed building expected to be demolished from Tuesday, March 8.
From the images that made rounds on social media after the collapse, the building was seen leaning towards rental apartments adjacent to it, with its base having been completely damaged.
Aketch, whose office has come under sharp criticism, explained that the collapse was caused by the incompetence of the contractor who contravened architectural procedures when developing the building.
"The primary elements which are columns that support the building have given up and preliminary investigations indicate that it was caused by foundation failure," he stated.
On her part, Kiambu County Executive Committee (CEC) for Infrastructure and Housing, Eunice Macharia explained that by vacating the tenants, they would be able to bring down the five-storey building.
"It is very important for developers especially in that county to follow the laid down procedures so that we can avoid this type of incident that brings a lot of loss.
"We have decided that the removal of the debris will start immediately and that has been agreed with the developer and that will be supervised by the multi agency team who are here," the CEC stated
Additionally, it was revealed that the contractor failed to work with a structural engineer during the construction process with the officials stating that the collapse would have been avoided.
“There was no proper geotechnical survey, which means the study of the soil structure, to help the engineer know how much he should have done to have a stable structure,” Aketch stated.
“Kinoo is largely a red soil area, and excavation with intent to build a highrise building should be given special attention. There is a big difference between how we excavate cotton soil and how we do for red soils,” Michael Kariuki, an engineer added.
For the past few years, Nairobi and Kiambu counties have experienced a number of incidents of collapsed buildings that have been caused by poor workmanship.
