Cabinet Secretary (CS) for the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, Dr. Fred Matiang’i has issued a stern warning that anyone found culpable for the collapse of Nyamira Assembly building that was under construction will face the full force of the law.
The CS was issuing this warning while visiting the site where the building collapsed in Nyamira saying that they will take stern action to any negligent person as guided by construction engineers and experts after investigations on the cause of the collapse are complete.
“Some level of negligence can be noticed in this construction but we shall wait until the experts ascertain the level of negligence and unearth the extent of its damage so that we can be able to know the way forward concerning the building,” Dr. Matiang’i observed.
“Government cannot condone recklessness at work causing wastage of public resources and endangering innocent people’s lives in the name of making profits, the reason why thorough investigations need to be carried by all relevant experts to enable us to make an informed decision on the way forward.” The CS stated.
He ordered investigations be expedited to get a conclusive report in good time and decision making on the next cause of action concerning the building be made. The experts may recommend reconstructing the collapsed frontage section and continue with works on the unaffected section of the building or to completely demolish the building. We shall strictly act in accordance with advised recommendations.
“Kenyan Engineers and construction experts are very respected professionals globally because we have some of our own doing the same assignments outside Kenya but it’s unfortunate that few unscrupulous ‘professionals’ who want to make a kill out of shoddy works end up bringing huge economic investment loses, a scenario that cannot be tolerated,” added Matiang’i.
He however declined to comment about the political wrangles in Nyamira County latest being failure by Assembly appointment’s committee to vet the Deputy Governor designate, Dr. James Gesami last Friday May 28 due to a court order saying he can only advise Nyamira leaders to come together, put their house in order and forge the development agenda forward.
“If you continue with endless and baseless political wrangles, you will only realize too late that other places in the country moved on a long time and are developed and it is only you who will be lagging behind. Call all leaders, bear one another’s shortcomings, solve these small issues and concentrate on developing this county,” he advised.
Matiang’i was accompanied by Nyamira County Governor Amos Nyaribo, Senator Okongó Omogeni, MP Jerusha Momanyi, Nyamira County Commissioner Amos Mariba amongst other county leaders.
By Deborah Bochere
