Police arrest owner of collapsed Kisii building

Kenya Defense Forces, special team carry out a survey on the Kisii collapsed building on 11.10.2016 before they started an operation to rescue people who had been trapped. (Photo: Eric Abuga/Standard)

Police have arrested owner of collapsed Kisii building, Jeremiah Matoke, who presented himself Wednesday morning at the Kisii CID offices.

Kisii DCI Jeremiah Mwangi has confirmed the arrest, saying Matoke had presented himself for questioning at the Kisii CID offices.

“He will appear in court on Thursday morning. He will spend the night at Kisii central police station as we prepare the charge sheet,” said Mwangi.

Matoke is likely to face murder charges. The tragedy claimed lives of eight people among them a form one student who had travelled from Vihiga County to visit her relative in Kisii.

Interior cabinet secretary Joseph Nkaissery had on Tuesday ordered for immediate arrest of the owner of the collapsed building.

This case is likely to attract attention owing to the fact that the National Construction Authority has already warned that they will bring down several buildings in Kisii that have not complied with construction regulations.