Babu Owino Releases Eastleigh Building Approval Documents, Alleges KSh120 Million

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has released documents allegedly showing that Nairobi County approved the development of the multi-storey building that collapsed in Eastleigh, raising fresh questions about the approvals process and Governor Johnson Sakaja’s earlier statements.

The building collapsed on Friday, October 23, triggering an emergency rescue operation involving multiple agencies. The incident left several people feared trapped beneath the debris, while authorities worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

In a statement shared on Facebook on Sunday, October 25, Babu published what he described as an official county approval document dated February 13, 2024. He argued that the document contradicted Sakaja’s explanation.

According to the legislator, the document was issued under Application Number PLUPA-COU-000821-N, pursuant to the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019. It identifies Sakina Star Ltd as the applicant behind the proposed development.

The document reportedly indicates that the proposed project was situated on Plot LR No. 36/II/40, along 9th Street in Eastleigh, within Kamukunji Sub-county. It also contains details about the development approved by the Urban Planning Technical Committee.

According to the approval, the proposed project included 35 residential units comprising one three-bedroom apartment, 22 two-bedroom apartments and 12 one-bedroom apartments. The development also included a restaurant, mosque and shops.

The document further indicates that the application was approved on February 13, 2024, under Item Number Two during a meeting of the Urban Planning Technical Committee. Babu presented these details as evidence of county involvement.

Following the release, Babu accused Governor Sakaja of misleading Kenyans by claiming that the collapsed building had not received county approval. He insisted that the published document demonstrated otherwise.

“Sakaja lied to Kenyans that the building in Eastleigh that collapsed had no approval. I have posted the approval that was done on February 13, 2024,” Babu stated.

The Embakasi East MP further accused the governor of incompetence and demanded that he accept responsibility for the tragedy. He also alleged that a KSh120 million bribe had changed hands during the approval process.

However, Babu’s bribery allegation remains an accusation and has not been independently established. The document’s existence also does not, by itself, establish whether all required construction permits and technical approvals were obtained.

Governor Sakaja had previously maintained that the county only approved a change of use for the property and did not approve the architectural plans for the multi-storey building.

The disagreement has therefore raised questions about the distinction between development permission, change-of-use approval and approval of architectural and structural plans.

Meanwhile, rescue operations continued following Friday’s collapse, with emergency teams searching through the rubble for people believed to have been trapped inside the building.

Authorities had initially accounted for 67 workers at the construction site, including 66 who were reported unharmed and one who sustained injuries during the incident.

The tragedy has renewed public scrutiny of construction regulations, building inspections and the responsibilities of county officials tasked with approving developments across Nairobi.

As investigations continue, attention is increasingly turning towards the building’s ownership, contractors, professional approvals and the officials responsible for overseeing construction in Eastleigh.

Breakingnews710 feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com