Special team to probe Huruma house tragedy

A special team has been set up to investigate and prosecute those culpable in the collapse of a building in Huruma.

The tragedy has so far claimed 23 lives.

The team had by last evening recorded statements from officials from the National Construction Authority, National Environment Management Authority, engineers at City Hall, surveyors and owners of the building.

The team is composed of police officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and four state lawyers from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

It is headed by Nairobi Area head of DCI Nicholas Kamwende and is under instructions to ensure those responsible for the construction of the structure are prosecuted.

Those grilled were asked to explain the role they played in the approval and construction of the building. The team met yesterday to explore areas to pursue in the investigations.

"You will see prosecutions soon. This is being taken very seriously and all involved have to be punished," said an official who asked not to be named.

Apart from the owner of the seven-storey building and his brother, the engineer in charge of the region was also arrested.

Sources said police would move to court today to seek orders to continue holding them as they hunt for the other parties concerned.

The architect and engineers of the ill-fated building are also being looked for.