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The Cabinet Secretary for roads and infrastructure James Macharia has ordered the National Building Inspectorate to bring down all buildings which have been declared unsafe in various parts of the country.

He said about 4,000 houses were found unsafe for human habitat in a recent audit carried out by the Inspectorate.

“I am directing the NBI to ensure all the buildings are brought down within the shortest time possible,” he said.

Speaking in Gatanga, Murang’a county yesterday, when he toured the scene where a four-storey building under construction collapsed, the CS said it is time to act and avert the loss of lives.

He lamented that there has been too much negligence and lack of professionalism in the construction industry, and as a result sub-standard buildings are being set up.

Greed for money

He said most of the developers are led by greed for money and rush to set up buildings so that they can start earning from them but forget to look at the quality of the work being done.

“Greed for money should not be the determining factor for any project instead the investor should consider the safety of the workers and the people who will occupy the house thereafter,” he said.

The CS said no stone shall be left unturned in this incident saying all those involved in the project shall be brought to book.

“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has launched a manhunt for the hotel owner, the contractor, the architect and the managers of the facility who are on the run and they shall be charged in court for negligence,” he said.

The CS also pointed an accusing finger to the county government officials who approve the building plans saying they have been sleeping on their job.

He said the officers should be considered inspection of the buildings as the county charges a fee for this inspection.

“We shall also get to the county officials who approved the project as well as those in the National Construction Authority who are supposed to be inspecting the project on regular basis” he added.

By the time of filing the story, five bodies had been recovered from the ramble of the building and one more person who was receiving treatment at the hospital succumbed to injuries bringing the total number of fatalities to six.