Kiambu county government engineers have said a building with cracked walls is structurally sound and its columns and beams are strong.
They sought to dispel fears that a building in Gatong’ora area, Ruiru subcounty, is unsafe.
The experts and National Construction Authority (NCA) officials said that the building is safe for occupation. They said it only has some small wall cracks that have not affected building’s structure.
Engineer John Kamau averred that a thorough inspection of the building revealed that its columns and beams are structurally sound.
“We have inspected the building and we can confirm that the columns and beams are firm and the cracks on some walls cannot compromise the safety of the building,” Kamau said.
The engineer called on residents to remain calm saying, "There's no cause for alarm."
Kiroko Ndegwa, an advocate representing the owner of the Deep East Apartments, said a disgruntled tenant who had been kicked out had said the building was on the verge of collapse. He had defaulted on his rent for six months.
“He had earlier threatened my client that he was going to ruin the reputation of this building. Fortunately, we have laws that govern the construction industry and my client is in violation of none of those laws,” Ndegwa said.
“We have spent the better part of today with people charged with protecting citizens, among them county engineers and National Construction Authority officials. They have given the building a clean bill of health,” he said.
Ndegwa said the safety of tenants is not taken lightly and the building does not have cracks that could compromise its integrity.
A tour at the building revealed that tenants appeared calm and were going about their activities as usual.
Several high-end vehicles were parked there, an indication residents were not alarmed by the warnings by the tenant in default.
Ndegwa said the former tenant would be sued for maliciously damaging the name and reputation of the owner.
The tenant is reported not to have issued any vacation notice and kept promising to pay the rent before he moved to his mother’s house.
“The tenant has made away with huge arrears of rent. This house is a huge investment and the owner must recoup his money. We cannot take it lightly that he not only left without paying rent but also injured the reputation of the owner. We will take legal action,"Ndegwa said.
(Edited by V. Graham)