Old Video Of Ruto Allowing Eastleigh Residents To Construct Building Over The Limit Height Surfaces

An old video of President William Ruto speaking about building heights in Eastleigh has resurfaced online after the collapse of a multi storey building in the area. In the clip, he is heard telling residents that he has allowed investors to put up buildings of up to 25 or 30 floors. Many Kenyans have gone back to it and are now blaming him for the tragedy.

The remarks were first made in May 2024 during a visit to Kiamaiko in Mathare. Ruto said that previously nobody could build beyond 12 storeys in Eastleigh, but that he had now declared that developers could go as high as 25 or 30 floors to provide housing for citizens.

The height limits in the area are linked to the nearby Moi Air Base, which has long been a reason for restricting tall buildings.

Reports from that period show that the statement caused confusion. About a month later, speaking at the Kenya Air Force anniversary celebrations at the same air base, Ruto said developers must follow the set height rules, and he warned that buildings which went beyond the legal limits would be dealt with. Developers at the time asked the government for clarity on what the rules really were.

There is no confirmation that the collapsed building was put up under the 2024 declaration. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has said the structure had construction approvals but lacked an occupation certificate, and police have promised to charge anyone found to have been criminally negligent. The cause of the collapse is yet to be established by investigators.

Even so, online reactions have been sharp. Some Kenyans argue that careless statements from the top encourage developers to ignore the rules, while others say the blame should rest with those who approved and supervised the project.

https://x.com/Lazooj/status/2113675421979967820

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