This archive report was first published on 25 September 2019.
On September 23, 2019, a devastating tragedy occurred at Precious Talent School in Nairobi, Kenya, where eight pupils lost their lives and 64 others were injured after the walls of their classrooms caved in.
Following the incident, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko announced the suspension of 16 top county officials, including the County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning Charles Kerich, to pave the way for a probe into the tragedy.
According to Sonko, the suspension is aimed at facilitating impartial investigations into the incident and the conclusion of the ongoing comprehensive systems audit in the Urban Planning Department.
Engineers have blamed poor construction for the tragedy, with the owners of the school accused of constructing an additional floor to the single-storey building without seeking approval, placing the pupils' lives in danger.
"I am convinced beyond doubt that drastic measures have to be taken to reverse the effects of years of flouting Physical Planning Regulations and restore order and sanity before illegal structures claim more lives as has repeatedly happened before," Sonko said.
Among the suspended officials are Mohammed Dagane – CECM Health, Justus Kathenge, suspended County Chief Officer for Urban Planning, Jusper Ndeke, Director Planning Compliance and Enforcement, and Dominic Mutegi, Development Management Director.
Others include Ochanda Ondari Fredrick, Assistant Director Enforcement, Ruth Waruguru, Director Urban Planning, Thomas Dudi, Assistant Director Planning, Simon Onyango, Development Officer (regularization of buildings/approval of architectural plans), Alex Mucheru, Development Control (overseeing approvals of buildings and schools on behalf of public health and safety), and Mackline Saitera, Development Control (approval of building plans and school inspection).
Pauline Kahiga replaces Kerich in an acting capacity while Veska Kangogo is the acting CECM Health. Their appointments take effect immediately.
