Owner of collapsed Huruma building charged with 52 counts of manslaughter

Police officers and rescue teams at the scene of the Huruma buidling that collapsed in April. (Photo: File/Standard)

Nairobi: Samuel Karanja Kamau, the owner of the house that collapsed in Nairobi’s Huruma estate was Tuesday charged with 52 counts of manslaughter and four other counts related to the construction of the building.

Kamau appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Joyce Ngandani and denied all counts.

The court heard that he committed the offense jointly with others not before the court on April 29, 2016 at Ngei II Estate in Starehe Sub County, Nairobi.

The five others who were not before the court are Panras Wamwandu Mwakazi, Anthony Njuguna Ngugi, Gerald Morara Omoke, Joan Nyankombe Michieka and Justus Mwendwa Kathenge.

Hearing on bail application is set for tomorrow, June 8.

Kamau was arrested on May 1 when he presented himself at Pangani Police Station for interrogation, days after the house collapsed.