Collapsed building couple deny manslaughter charge

The owners of a Kiambu Town building that collapsed, killing three people and injuring four others, were on Wednesday charged with manslaughter.

Mr Francis Njoroge and his wife, Ms Felista Nyokabi, appeared before Kiambu principal magistrate D.A. Okundi and denied the charge. They are accused of causing the deaths of Francis Njoroge, Paul Maina and James Ngugi on January 10.

Assist

Their plea to be released on bail was rejected after the prosecution maintained that if released they might interfere with the ongoing investigations.

The prosecution also said that while in custody, they could assist with the investigations, especially in helping to trace their contractor, who is still at large.

Kiambu district criminal investigations officer Abdi Ahmed was ordered to appear in court on Monday to explain why the accused were held for more than 24 hours before being brought to court after their arrest.

The matter will proceed on January 25. Earlier, the two were fined Sh50,000 each for allowing the construction of an unsafe building.