Sakaja Demands Answers After Eastleigh Building Collapse Suspects Are Reportedly Released on Sh50000

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has demanded answers from Kamukunji Police Station following reports that suspects arrested over alleged planning violations linked to a building that later collapsed in Eastleigh were released on cash bail.

Sakaja questioned reports that some suspects were released after paying KSh50,000 without being presented in court. He called on police to explain the circumstances surrounding their release and clarify what happened after the county handed them over.

The governor said Nairobi City County had taken enforcement action after discovering that although a change of user had been approved for the property, the architectural plans required to authorise construction had not received approval.

According to records cited by Sakaja, 14 suspects were booked into custody on June 17, 2026, over alleged violations of city planning laws. The suspects had reportedly been arrested during the county’s enforcement operation.

A separate police record reportedly indicates that 10 suspects were subsequently released on KSh50,000 cash bail on instructions from the Officer Commanding Station. However, the available documents do not establish the legal basis for their release.

The records also leave questions about whether the suspects were eventually presented in court and what happened to the remaining four individuals. Sakaja has called for clarification as authorities face scrutiny over the handling of the case.

The matter has also drawn attention to a county enforcement notice issued in June 2025 concerning alleged construction without the necessary development permission. The notice cited the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019, and relevant county by-laws.

Sakaja maintained that approval for a change of user did not automatically authorise construction without approved architectural plans. He also warned politicians against circulating documents presented as evidence of full construction approval before investigations establish their authenticity.

The governor renewed his call for county governments to regain prosecutorial powers over offences arising from their regulatory responsibilities, saying he had written to the Director of Public Prosecutions. He also urged professional bodies to investigate possible violations and take appropriate action.