KenHA blamed after building collapsed, killed two in Ruiru
The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK)has asked the Kenya National Highways Authority to secure demolition sites to avoid tragedies like the recent Ruiru incident in which two people lost their lives when a partially demolished building collapsed on them.
An official of IEK Benjamin Nyawade said the deaths could have been avoided had the agencies involved including KenHA followed proper guidelines in securing such a site which shouldn't be accessible to members of the public.
Even as the IEK officials were addressing journalists at the scene, hundreds of residents were scrambling to salvage steel bars from the demolished structures, clearly putting their lives at risk from bulldozers that were clearing the debris.
"Members of the public are advised to keep off a building that has been acquired for demolition and whose stability has been compromised as it is very dangerous. We appeal to the relevant authorities and agencies in charge of demolishing structures to ensure the sites are well cordoned off," Nyawade said.
Similar sentiments were expressed by former Ruiru MP Esther Gathogo who separately criticized the KenHA contractor for exposing members of the public to grave danger and said the government should compensate the families of the deceased.
According to Kiambu County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha the yet to be identified persons were looking for metals inside the half-demolished building to sell.
He revealed that the building had been partially collapsed by KenHA and was to be floored the following day, but the victims got there before the authority officers arrived.
