Prosecution wants 5 arrested over building collapse detained

Samuel Kamau Karanja and Henry Muiruri Karanja, the two brothers who own the building that collapsed in Huruma, Nairobi, on April 29, 2016, when they appeared in court on May 3, 2016 along three others. Prosecutors want the five people detained for 21 days pending the completion of investigations. PHOTO | PAUL WAWERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The five who were arraigned in court are Samuel Kamau Karanja, Henry Muiruri Karanja, Chrispas Sifima Wafula, Justus Mwendwa, and Seline Anyango.

  • They are likely to be charged with murder or manslaughter once investigations are complete.

  • The death toll from the Friday night tragedy is at 22 people while 136 others have been rescued from the rubble.

Prosecutors want five people arrested over the Huruma building collapse detained for 21 days, saying if they are released on bail they may interfere with the ongoing investigations.

The five challenged the prosecutor's request and the court will rule on their bail application on Wednesday.

It is after the 21-day period that the DPP will announce the appropriate charges to be preferred against them.

The five who were arraigned in court are Samuel Kamau Karanja, Henry Muiruri Karanja, Chrispas Sifima Wafula, Justus Mwendwa, and Seline Anyango.

Mr Kamau and Mr Karanja are believed to be the owners of the collapsed building while Mr Wafula is an employee of the National Construction Authority responsible for the area where the ill-fated residential complex is located.

Mr Mwendwa is the Nairobi County director of planning compliance under whose jurisdiction the collapsed building falls while Ms Ogalo is the Mathare Sub-County administrator.

A total of 23 people have been confirmed dead so far following the Friday night tragedy while 136 others have been rescued from the rubble. Dozens others are reported missing.

The latest to be rescued is a lucky seven-month-old girl, who has already been reunited with her father at Kenyatta National Hospital. Her mother is still unaccounted for.

The five people are likely to be charged with murder or manslaughter once investigations are completed.