Building owners defied demolition order, says official

The building tilted on Friday before it crumbled as residents watched. [George Njunge, Standard]

The county government has distanced itself from a poorly-constructed building that collapsed in Kinoo, Kikuyu sub-county.

Through Housing Executive Mugo Kimani, the county said it warned the owners of the building, George Kamau and Florence Wairimu, to stop the construction in January but they defied the order.

Kimani said on January 18, the county government wrote to the owners, warning them that the building was being constructed without the relevant approvals from the county.

On Monday, Kimani ordered the immediate demolition of the building.

"Should you fail to undertake the demolition with immediate effect, the county government will enter into the said premises and undertake the demolition at your cost and without further warning," the housing executive warned.

This came as demolition of the building entered the second day on Monday morning.

Tenants who were residing in adjacent plots were advised to seek alternative shelter until the area is secured.

The building tilted on Friday before it crumbled as residents watched.

Workers on site had taken off. Nobody was injured in the incident.