Written by Kelly Were
MOMBASA, Kenya — May 31, 2025
A comprehensive investigation into the partial collapse and subsequent demolition of an 11-storey building in Mombasa has exposed a troubling pattern of regulatory failures, professional misconduct, and systemic oversight breakdowns across multiple agencies and individuals involved in the construction sector.
The probe, led by a multi-agency task force formed by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir, revealed that credential renting by licensed engineers and architects, inadequate site inspections, and compromised project approvals played a central role in the structural failure of the building at Kilifi Corner, Fayaz Estate.
The task force’s findings paint a grim picture: fundamental design flaws, absence of essential geotechnical studies, and poor professional supervision critically undermined the building’s integrity. Most damning, however, were revelations of conflicts of interest, where county officials approved projects submitted by their own colleagues, and county records failed to align with National Construction Authority (NCA) data.
“This was not just a structural collapse—it was a collapse of oversight, ethics, and accountability,” said Governor Nassir. “We shall ensure those responsible for putting lives at risk face justice.”
The report revealed that unauthorised borehole drilling significantly weakened the foundation, causing ground-floor columns to sink by nearly three metres, prompting a controlled demolition on April 9 by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) using explosives. The operation was hailed as a success, bringing down the dangerously compromised structure without further incident.
At least one person lost their life in the incident, which has since prompted public outrage and renewed scrutiny of Kenya’s construction practices.
In addition to engineers and architects, culpability has been extended to the building’s developer, technically incapable contractors, unlicensed operators, and a county officer accused of facilitating shortcuts and enabling regulatory breaches.
The task force’s final recommendations include:
- Strict penalties for credential renting
- Mandatory conflict-of-interest disclosures
- Compulsory peer reviews for complex or high-risk developments
- Standardised checklists for inspections and approvals
- Enhanced coordination between county authorities and the NCA
These proposals aim to restore public confidence in Kenya’s building standards and prevent future tragedies.
As the county prepares to prosecute those responsible, Governor Nassir reiterated the administration’s resolve:
“Mombasa will no longer be a haven for rogue developers. Human life is not a gamble.”
