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Police granted more time to probe Huruma building owners


Police have been given an additional 14 days to finalise investigations against government officials and the owners of a six-storey building that collapsed in Huruma estate last month.

The Director of Public Prosecution, through senior state counsel Ms Catherine Mwaniki, on Tuesday asked a trial court day to extend the time for investigations due to logistical issues including the gathering of evidence from multiple government agencies.

“I ask this honorable court to grant the prosecution 14 days to complete investigations against the suspects since they require information from different government agencies to confirm their omission or commission in the matter,” Ms Mwaniki said.

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES

Brothers Mr Samuel Kamau and Mr Henry Muiruri, the proprietors of the collapsed building, are being investigated alongside Mr Chrispas Ndinyo, Mr Justus Kathenge and Ms Seline Ogallo and may face manslaughter and negligence charges.

The investigations team had been earlier granted 21 days to complete the probe after the suspects were released bond.

“Investigations in such an offence are intricate and complex requiring diligence. The fair position would be to strike a balance between the rights of the suspect and the public interest to meet the ends of administration of justice,” Magistrate Edda Agade ruled after a defence lawyer had objected to the request for an extension.

She further ruled that the suspects will “suffer no prejudice” if the time is extended.

EXTENDED BAIL

Ms agade extended the Sh 500,000 cash bail which they deposited to secure their freedom, but ordered that they report to the investigating officer at Directorate of Criminal Investighations headquarters until the probe is completed.

The trial court was told investigations have revealed that the owners of the building were sold a riparian land by a government body and they later subdivided the land in the year 2011.

“Preliminary reports indicate that the building was illegally constructed, occupied and was constructed on a reserved land,” Ms Mwaniki said.

She said the probe had centered on whether the three government officials from National Construction Authority (NCA), Nairobi City County government and Mathare Sub-County Administrators  were compromised to approve the construction of the building.

The case will be mentioned on June 7.