This archive report was first published on 25 September 2019.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has taken swift action in the wake of a tragic school accident that claimed the lives of eight pupils and left several others injured. The accident occurred on Monday at the Precious Talent School in Ngando Ward, Nairobi County.
On September 23, 2019, a classroom at the school collapsed, resulting in the tragic loss of life. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
Responding to the tragedy, Governor Sonko has suspended 16 county officials, including Charles Kerich, the County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning, and Mohammed Dagane, the CECM for Health. Other officials suspended include Justus Kathenge, suspended County Chief Officer for Urban Planning, Jusper Ndeke, Director Planning Compliance and Enforcement, and Dominic Mutegi, Development Management Director.
According to Governor Sonko, the suspension of the officials is a result of their failure to adhere to physical planning regulations, which led to the tragic accident. The governor has assured Nairobi residents that he will not leave any stone unturned in his efforts to reverse the effects of impunity within the Urban Planning Department.
“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,” Governor Sonko stated.
Meanwhile, the Precious Talent Academy owner, Moses Wainaina, has claimed that the Nairobi County Government might have played a part in the collapse of a classroom in the school. Wainaina stated that the county administration dug a sewer line behind the classrooms, which weakened their foundations.
Government Spokesperson Cyrus Oguna, who was present at the scene, described the tragedy as saddening.
