Ex-administrator held 7 days over Malindi building collapse
What you need to know:
Mr Dan Chome was the town administrator between 2013 and 2015.
- Chief Magistrate Julie Oseko permitted his detention after officer Joseph Mwangi said he is an influential person so he might interfere with the probe.
Three people have been arrested so far. They include Mr Shabirali Fakhruddin, whose father Shabir Kasamale died in the incident.
The former Malindi town administrator, who approved the design and construction of a building that collapsed, will be detained seven days to help police with investigations.
Mr Dan Chome was the town administrator between 2013 and 2015.
INFLUENCE
Mr Chome will be question about the collapse of an incomplete eight-story structure on October 26, an incident which left one person dead.
Chief Magistrate Julie Oseko permitted Mr Chome's detention after Police Constable Joseph Mwangi said he is an influential person so he might interfere with the probe.
The former administrator contested in the 2016 Malindi parliamentary by-election.
The police officer had wanted to hold Mr Chome for 24 days but his lawyer opposed the application and asked that he be freed on bond.
ARRESTS
More than 26 people were rescued after the collapse but police say 15 people were injured.
Three people have been arrested so far. They include Mr Shabirali Fakhruddin, whose father Shabir Kasamale died in the incident.
Mr Fakhruddin is one of the directors of Palm Developers Limited, a company linked to the building.
He was released on a Sh500,000 personal bond with strict conditions; he cannot go to the scene, mingle with witnesses or travel outside Malindi.
Mr Daniel Mukhonga, the site engineer, has been detained for 21 days.
SCENE CONTROL
Last week, Kilifi County officially handed the site over to police.
It was under the county government's control since the disaster occurred until the Kenya Defense Forces Disaster Response Unit team arrived from Nairobi.
Malindi police boss Matawa Muchangi has warned members of the public against trespassing into the scene, which is still under investigation.
He said legal action will be taken against those who defy the order.
