Exposé reveals how 10 suspects linked to Eastleigh building were released without charges

Citizen TV has established that efforts to stop construction of the condemned building were undermined after 10 suspects linked to the project were arrested in June but released on Ksh.50,000 cash bail without being formally charged. 

The revelations come as 256 cases of illegal construction remain under investigation in Nairobi. Twenty-five cases have been forwarded to the ODPP, with Kasarani accounting for the highest number of sites at 46. 

More details are emerging regarding failed enforcement protocols before the collapse of the Eastleigh building.

A police report under OB Number 98/17/06/2026, recorded on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 3:20 p.m. by Police Corporal Leonard Jacinta Semeyian, indicates that Nairobi County officers Moses Kariuki, T. Kiprotich and P.O. Wambugu arrested 14 people linked to the construction of the condemned building in Kamukunji Sub-County.

The suspects were identified as Farh Omar Ahmed, Najib Mustafa Haji, Abdulahi Abdi Abdulahi, Ismael Abdulahi Sahel, Mubashir Hassan, Ali Haji Abukar, Abdi Mohames Haimed, Ishak Thlil Hussein, Bethwel Wanjohi Wangui, Justus Mutheni Kasanga, Ahmed Noor Muhamed, George Muingrdinga, Masinde Julius Muchombo and Aliho Muhamed Hilow.

The 14 were arrested for allegedly contravening the City Planning Act.

Ten of the 14 suspects were released on Ksh.50,000 cash bail each, hours after their arrest. A receipt shows that payment was made at 9:44 p.m. on June 17, 2026, following instructions from then OCS C.I. Onyapidi. The release was recorded under OB Number 172/17/06/2026 by Constable Mohammed Rashid Hillow.

Notably absent from those arrested were the building’s listed owner, John Mutia Musyoki; architect Emanuel Mwangi Maina, registration number A2045; engineer Joseph Muturi Mugu, registration number A2750; and contractor Stromax Holdings E.A. Ltd. All were blacklisted in a report on developments on Plot LR No. 36/11/40 along 9th Street, Eastleigh.

This was despite the report’s findings that the architectural plans for the Eastleigh building failed to: Omit shops on the basement level, provide on-site parking, attach Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) height approvals and observe three-metre setbacks on the basement and first floors.

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya has blamed Nairobi County for failing to enforce building safety protocols, including conducting regular inspections.

Eng. Harrison Kiplimo Keter, President of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, said the county was responsible for approving building plans and ensuring compliance throughout construction.

“The county is responsible for approval and enforcement. What does that mean? They have to approve the designs, processes and materials, including several inspections to ensure that there is compliance. So, they should not run away from their mandate,” Keter said.

City Hall, however, has faulted the engineering body for failing to document changes in personnel whenever listed engineers are replaced at construction sites.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja said engineers were often engaged by contractors and developers during the initial stages of approval but failed to notify the county and the National Construction Authority when their roles changed.

“The engineers are used by contractors and developers at the initial stages of approval for documentation purposes, but they don’t inform NCCG and NCA of any changes when they are no longer in charge of the project,” Sakaja said.

As investigations continue, a Nairobi County report reveals that 256 cases involving illegal buildings are at advanced stages of investigation.

Kasarani leads with 46 cases, followed by Embakasi West with 27 and Embakasi East with 21. Lang’ata has 18 cases, Roysambu and Starehe have 16 each, while Mathare has 15, among other areas.

Sakaja said the county was proposing that the prosecution mandate be returned to Nairobi County to help speed up the resolution of the cases.

“We are also proposing to the ODPP that the prosecution mandate be returned to the Nairobi County mandate in order to fast-track the outcome of the cases,” Sakaja said.

Of the 256 cases, 25 have been processed, with files forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for perusal, advice and further action.