Just hours after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja suspended County Chief Officer for Urban Planning Patrick Analo over a Ksh65.3 million graft probe, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved criminal charges against him and dozens of other officials in connection with the case involving the collapse of Manzil Towers building in Nairobi's South C area earlier this year.
In a twist that deepens the crisis at City Hall, Dominic Mutegi, whom Sakaja appointed to replace Analo in an acting capacity, has also been named among individuals approved for prosecution by the DPP.
The charges stem from investigations conducted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) into the collapse of Manzil Towers, a case that has raised fresh concerns over building approvals, oversight failures and accountability within Nairobi's planning department.
On Friday, June 5, Sakaja suspended Analo following recommendations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which is investigating the senior county official in a separate Ksh65.3 million corruption case.
"The County Chief Officer, Urban Planning, Patrick Akivaga Analo, is immediately suspended pending the conclusion of the investigation," Sakaja stated.
"The officer will not be allowed to access his office or any official documents or systems during this period. Mr. Dominic Mutegi, the Director of Development Management, shall act in this capacity effective immediately."
The governor also dissolved the Urban Planning Technical Committee and halted all development approval processes across the county.
"All processing of development approvals is suspended until the full reconstitution of this committee," he ordered.
However, hours later, the DPP announced that Analo was among 37 individuals approved for prosecution on charges of abuse of office and neglect of official duty in relation to the Manzil Towers project.
Also named in the charges is Mutegi, understood to be the same county official appointed by Sakaja to act as Chief Officer for Urban Planning following Analo's suspension.
The list of officials approved for prosecution on abuse of office and neglect of official duty charges includes Analo, Christopher Naicca, Brenda Nyawana, Alfred Eshitera, Tom Achar, Philomena Wanjui, Wilfred Masinde, Sammy Shileche, Judy Gitau, Patrick Nutunga, Stephen Mwadere, Kimani Stanely, Micheal Nderitu, Teresia Njoki, Simon Omondi, Ian Lewiso Gichero, Eunice Ngaho, Josephine Nater, Philip Mbithi, Francis Odhiambo, Grace Kiburo, Moses Nyogesa, Larry Ochieng, Davis Mutinda, Joseph Mutua, Mackline Saitera, Martha Maina, Vivian Adongo, Jassan Njani, Eluid Lemaiyan, engineer Daniel Alphonse Odhiambo, architect Gideon Chege Mwangi, Abdishakur Muse Mohammed, Yussuf Mohammed Yussuf, Bowen Kwambai Kanda and Abraham Choti Arati.
Beyond the public officials, the DPP approved manslaughter charges against four individuals: Daniel Alphonse Odhiambo, Gideon Chege Mwangi, Abdishakur Muse Mohamed and Yussuf Mohamed Yussuf.
The four are also set to face charges of commencing a project without an Environmental Impact Assessment licence, contrary to provisions of the Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act (EMCA).
Additionally, Gideon Chege Mwangi, Abdishakur Muse Mohamed and Yussuf Mohamed Yussuf have been charged with making a false document.
Abdishakur Muse Mohamed and Yussuf Mohamed Yussuf will further face charges of uttering a false document.
The developments place Nairobi's planning department under intense scrutiny, with both the suspended chief officer and his acting replacement now linked to criminal proceedings arising from the same building collapse investigation.
The dual blow is likely to raise questions about the leadership and oversight of development approvals in the capital, particularly after Sakaja moved to suspend all approvals and disband the committee responsible for vetting construction projects.
As the accused prepare to appear in court, the Manzil Towers collapse case is shaping up to be one of the most consequential prosecutions involving county planning officials, developers, engineers and architects in recent years.
