It is sad to learn that the building which collapsed in Embakasi had been condemned and earmarked for demolition. Through a court order, the owner managed to keep the structure standing until the matter faded from the limelight. Having ensured that the issue had been forgotten, casual labourers were hired, oblivious of imminent danger.
Since nature does not compromise, the building went down, taking away several lives.
The flurry of activities to rescue people trapped in the building was haphazard and uncoordinated. So far, there are people who are unaccounted for while the story has already lost taste.
Public officials mandated to ensure safety of such projects came out to pinpoint reasons for the collapse, leaving out those who approved the plans and the identity of the owner. In the not-too-distant-future, a similar scenario will emerge, this time in a different locality.
Who do we turn to? To add insult to injury, there is unsubstantiated information insinuating that there are weak and poorly designed buildings in Kasarani, Dandora, Mathare North and Embakasi that can cave in any time.
Can the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) be allowed to condemn and immediately demolish buildings that do not meet set standards? On the same note, construction companies should be vetted in order to bar quacks from this profession to save lives and resources.
Source: Daily Nation
