Building came down following ignorance of the construction procedure

 The Mountain Journal

 A building that collapsed in Gatanga, Murang’a was a result of negligence by the contractor after he defied the structural engineering procedures.

 The part of Sun Star Hotel under construction came down as the locals questioned the speed at which  the work progressed ignoring the laid down procedures in the construction sector.

Preminaly investigations in the wreckage of the building that  trembled down at around 2pm when the workers were coming back from lunch, revealed the steel used in the supporting of the concrete pillar was Y 12 being one for the small works.

 One of the employees recounted how he was threatened to be sacked when he questioned those in charge of the multi million shillings project why he considered using  the steel instead of going for the heavy steel recommended in the construction of the high rise buildings.

“ I was asked if I was the engineer  and I should stop questioning  and do what I was assigned  for the day to earn a living,” said a man  who was working in the construction site.

 In a roll call made by the police out of the 58 persons who were working in the ill-fated building eight could not be accounted for thus the rescue mission was started by the Kenya Defence Force, National Youth Service and National Police Service.

 The rescue mission coordinated by Murang’a County Commander Donatha Kiplangat  saw the rescue of two people from the debris of the ill fated building.

“ We have embarked on a multi-agency approach including the disaster response unit  from Murang’a County Government to ensure we save the lives of the workers trapped in the building,” said Ms Kiplangat.

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