[Kisii residents convening at Mwembe where a building collapsed. Over thirty people have died from such tragedies in five years. Photo/Nation]
Over thirty (30) people have died from shoddy building related cases in Kisii County over a period of four years, raising questions over the preparedness of James Ongwae led regime.
Last year, at least 15 people died following a collapsed building along Daraja Moja – Main stage road, compelling the county to seek help from the national government.
In 2014, a similar tragedy occurred in Jogoo suburbs with three deaths reported even though the county government tabled a zero casualty report.
And the Wednesday’s Mwembe tragedy that left over 10 death and several trapped would further raise questions on the essence of National Construction Authority.
“The population is growing exponentially due to institutions around and investors want to make maximum profits,” says Vincent Manani, a resident of Mwembe.
He further says:” owners of these buildings are well connected with the authority and apparently, no action is taken to curb them from exposing people to danger.”
When touring the site, Ongwae on focused on dealing with the emergency and yet against failed to address his government’s mechanisms to deal with such calamities.
“My government will take responsibility on what has happened and we shall ensure that all medical expenses are handled by us,” he said, evading the topical question of remedying such incidents.
Apparently, it is rumoured that the owner of the Mwembe building is the same person who owned a building that collapsed and killed dozens of people last year.