Criminal den on Morktar Dadah Street to be sealed

By HUDSON GUMBIHI

The owners of the abandoned city building that has been turned into a safe haven for criminals have agreed to block all entries.

The sealing was ordered by City Hall on June 9, following a public outcry that the two-storey building on Morktar Dadah Street posed security risks.

Criminals posing as street boys had taken over the run-down building that used to house a popular night club and converted the premises into a hideout and storage centre where they keep the spoils of their illegal trade.

The daring criminals target shoppers near Nakumatt Lifestyle, motorists and pedestrians. Victims who resist are attacked by the gangsters who use the building as an ambush site.

Police admitted the existence of the criminals revealing to The Nairobian that they had sought City Hall’s help.

Central police boss Patrick Oduma said they had asked the City Planning department to pull down the premises threatening to arrest the owner if no action is taken.

According to Justus Kathenge, the assistant director, Enforcement Section, the owners had pleaded to erect a perimeter wall around the building saying that he had not received any letter from police as earlier claimed by Oduma.

“However, we are aware of that matter and on Friday, asked the family (of the owner) to put up a masonry wall. Already they are assembling materials and work is expected to start this Saturday (June 15),” said Kathenge.

The officer said the sealing was a temporary measure since they could not bring down the building following a court ownership row pitting family members.

He hastened to add that his office could not bring down the building unless given authority by the public health section that conducts inspection before recommending action.