Subject of demolition delay collapses, killing four.
A six-storey building in the Kenyan town of Embakasi that collapsed killing four people earlier this week had been earmarked for demolition. According to engineers, the building was “poorly planned and put up using substandard materials” and the City Council had ordered its demolition.
That demolition was blocked, apparently, after the property developer took the matter to court and was granted a stay, much to the frustration of town clerk Philip Kisia.
Kisia said the council efforts to enforce by laws for orderly and sustainable urban development have been hampered by the Judiciary which often issues injunctions allowing for construction of illegal buildings.
“One of the biggest frustration has come from the judicial arm of the government which has on many occasions given injunction and restraining orders against the council whenever it attempts to enforce its by-laws and the physical planning Act provisions against illegal developments,” Kisia said.
He said it is the Judiciary and its officers who stop the council from demolishing illegal buildings and who should be held responsible whenever they collapse.
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