The Office of the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) pinned murder charges on four Kiambu county government officials following the collapse of a building in Ruaka.
The four, drawn from the planning department, will be arraigned for the demise of two people who succumbed after the debris fell on their adjacent house.
According to DCI's statement dated Monday, November 21, the officers were also accused of criminal negligence.
Reports alleged that they played a key role in issuing approvals for the collapsed six-storey building.
"Four Kiambu County government officials from the planning department shall also face offences of criminal negligence and murder at the Kiambu Law Courts on Tuesday, November 22," DCI stated.
Similar charges were levelled against the owner of the building, who was apprehended at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Monday, November 21, while attempting to flee the country.
The 59-year-old was apprehended by DCI officers acting on a tip off.
"In the Ruaka case where two people lost their lives, the owner of the building who was arrested as she fled the country will answer to the offences of Criminal Negligence and Murder, contrary section 203 as read with Section 204 of the Penal Code," DCI statement added.
At the same time, sleuths revealed that the owner of another building which collapsed on Monday, November 21, after tenants were evacuated, will also be charged with undertaking a project without requisite approvals.
The DCI claimed that the owner defied government procedures to build the building, endangering tenants' lives.
It further warned tenants to be on the lookout after the number of collapsing buildings in the county rose to four in November 2022.
The National Construction Authority (NCA) attributed over 80 per cent of all incidents to poor workmanship.
"Professional misconduct, using unqualified labour, greed for wealth by developers, poor structural design, and weak foundations are also to blame," NCA stated.
To further curb cases of buildings collapse, NCA proposed the introduction of new approvals policies in the country. The government also wants landlords to insure their buildings in a move to grant tenants compensation in case a tragedy occurs.
