- Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has identified the family behind the collapsed Eastleigh building
- Sakaja named John Mutia Musyoki as the developer on record and said the county approved a change of use but did not approve the architectural plans for the construction
- The governor has urged professional bodies to investigate architects, engineers and other professionals linked to the project
Harry Ivan Mboto is a Current Affairs and Politics Editor at TUKO.co.ke, covering general news. Mboto has five years of journalism experience and joined TUKO.co.ke in 2024
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has identified the family that owns the building that collapsed in Eastleigh, revealing that the property belongs to the estate of the late Wilson Mutia Musyoki.
Source: Facebook
Sakaja said John Mutia Musyoki was listed as the developer in official records for the building, which had reached 18 floors by the time it collapsed.
Speaking during the second day of search-and-rescue operations, the governor said Nairobi City County had not approved the construction plans for the development, despite granting permission for a change of use.
“This property is owned by a family. It is the estate of the late Wilson Mutia Musyoki,” Sakaja said.
According to the governor, an application submitted in 2024 sought approval to construct a 15-floor building with a basement. However, the county did not approve the architectural plans, and the building had risen to 18 floors by the time of the collapse.
Professionals behind collapsed Eastleigh building
Sakaja said county records showed that the only approval granted was for a change of use from residential to commercial-residential. The approval was issued on October 17, 2024, following an application by physical planner Nathan Mutunga Kiiti, registration number 0274.
Architectural plans submitted on November 20, 2024, by architect Emmanuel Mwangi Maina, registration number A2045, were not approved, according to the governor.
The civil and structural engineering submission was made under Precise Civil Engineering Ltd. Stromax Holdings E.A. Limited was listed as the contractor, Maina as the project architect and Joseph Mutturi Mugu as the project structural engineer.
The governor urged professional bodies representing architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and builders to investigate the conduct of members linked to the project and establish whether they met their professional obligations.
He described the incident as a case of “total impunity” and called for disciplinary action against anyone found culpable.
What action has Nairobi County taken over the Eastleigh collapse?
Sakaja said the county had taken enforcement action on several occasions after detecting unauthorised construction. He added that its report had been forwarded to relevant authorities, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), for further investigations.
The governor also renewed his call for county governments to regain prosecutorial powers, arguing that stronger enforcement and meaningful penalties would help deter violations of building regulations.
Meanwhile, a multi-agency team is continuing search-and-rescue operations and debris clearance at the site on 9th Street in Eastleigh, Kamukunji Sub-County.
Authorities are prioritising the search for anyone who may still be trapped beneath the rubble as investigations seek to establish individual responsibility for the collapse.
Source: TUKO.co.ke