By Our Reporter
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is under pressure to explain his administration’s handling of the Eastleigh building collapse after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said it had not received an inquiry file from the county government concerning the controversial development.
The disclosure has raised questions about earlier remarks attributed to the governor regarding the submission of information on individuals implicated in the construction of the building.
The South B Member of the County Assembly has challenged Mr Sakaja to clarify his statements and provide evidence showing whether the county government forwarded details of those responsible for the project to investigative or prosecutorial authorities.
In a statement issued on Monday, October 26, the MCA said the ODPP’s position presented a discrepancy that required an immediate and transparent explanation from the governor.
The MCA cited paragraph two of the ODPP statement, which indicated that the office had not received an inquiry file from Nairobi City County Government concerning alleged malfeasance by the developer, professionals or county officials involved in the construction.
The statement has placed the county government’s response to the tragedy under renewed scrutiny, particularly regarding whether relevant information was submitted to investigative agencies before the building collapsed.
The MCA challenged the governor to disclose when any information was forwarded, the agencies that received it and the action taken thereafter.
“If the governor maintains that his administration submitted the names of the officials implicated in the building’s construction, he must now provide documentary evidence showing when the information was submitted, which authorities received it and what action was taken,” the statement said.
The MCA cautioned against allowing the incident to become a public relations contest, arguing that the loss of lives, destruction of property and risks posed to residents demanded accountability from everyone involved.
However, the ODPP’s statement does not, on its own, establish that the governor deliberately misled the public. It instead raises questions about whether the county government submitted an inquiry file and whether its public communication accurately reflected the actions taken.
The MCA said Nairobi residents deserved a clear account of what the county government knew about the building, the steps it took and the basis for the governor’s earlier remarks.
The collapse has renewed scrutiny of the systems governing development approvals, construction supervision and enforcement of building regulations in Nairobi, particularly in densely populated neighbourhoods where structural failures can have devastating consequences.
The MCA also called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the planning, approval, supervision and construction of the building, in line with the ODPP’s directions.
The investigation should establish the respective responsibilities of county officials, the developer, contractors and professionals involved in the project, the MCA said.
Those found to have violated the law should face appropriate legal action, regardless of their positions or political connections.
The MCA further demanded that Mr Sakaja publicly clarify his earlier remarks and release evidence of any correspondence or submissions made to the relevant authorities.
The dispute comes amid growing public concern over City Hall’s oversight of construction projects and the effectiveness of enforcement measures intended to ensure that buildings comply with approved plans and safety standards.
For families affected by the Eastleigh tragedy, the immediate concern remains whether warning signs were ignored, whether the relevant authorities acted on available information and whether those found responsible will face justice.
The MCA maintained that the collapse should not be allowed to disappear from public attention before the circumstances surrounding the incident are fully established.
The county government now faces calls to account for its actions as investigations seek to establish the circumstances of the collapse and determine whether any individuals or institutions should be held legally responsible.
