See You in Court! Babu Declines to Pull Down Post on Collapsed Eastleigh Building

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino/HANDOUTEmbakasi East MP Babu Owino has declined to pull down a social media post linking a disputed Nairobi County construction approval to the multi-storey building that collapsed in Eastleigh.

The legislator, through his lawyer Collins Mango, dismissed a demand by advocates representing Okeya Hempstone Nyawanda, who accused him of publishing false and defamatory information linking the registered architect to an approval document for the development on LR/Parcel No. 36/11/40 in Eastleigh, within Kamukunji Sub-county.

In a response to Oyugi Ochieng and Associates Advocates, Mango said his client would neither apologise to Nyawanda nor Governor Johnson Sakaja for demanding answers over the tragedy, which has claimed lives and left families devastated.

“Our client will continue to call upon Governor Sakaja and the relevant County Government authorities, this time round, LOUDER, to explain the circumstances,” Mango said in the letter.

The dispute intensified after Babu questioned Sakaja’s explanation that the collapsed building lacked construction approval.

The MP published what he described as a County Government Notification of Approval, indicating that the document had been generated on February 25, 2024, and named Nyawanda as the registered physical planner through whom the approval was issued.

Nyawanda, through his lawyers, disputed the authenticity of the information linking him to the approval, maintaining that the claims were false, untruthful and misleading.

In a demand letter dated October 25, 2026, the advocates said the publication on X, and Facebook was damaging their client’s professional reputation, public image and personal morale.

They demanded that Babu remove the post within six hours, warning that failure to comply would result in legal proceedings.

The lawyers also attached Nyawanda’s practising certificate, stating that he was an architect and not a physical planner.

However, Mango rejected the argument, saying professional designations alone could not resolve questions surrounding the disputed approval document or establish that his client’s statements were false or defamatory.

He maintained that the collapse raised legitimate questions about public safety, regulatory oversight and accountability in the approval and enforcement of building regulations.

“Six hours may be sufficient to issue an ultimatum; it is hardly sufficient to resolve the questions raised by a tragedy of this magnitude,” Mango said.

The MP’s lawyer further argued that Sakaja, as governor, was responsible for heading the county administration whose handling of development approvals and enforcement of building regulations was subject to public scrutiny.

Babu also dismissed the threat of legal action, signalling his readiness to defend himself in court.

“See you in court! I want to cross-examine you for seven hours straight. I will have you for breakfast!” the MP posted as he declined to remove the publication.

Mango said his client would strongly defend his position on the facts and the law should Nyawanda proceed with litigation.