Mombasa governor suspends county officials after 11-storey building is brought down

In the aftermath of a dramatic demolition in Mombasa, governor Abdulswamad Nassir has vowed to take swift and decisive action against illegal construction across the county, following the successful controlled collapse of an 11-storey apartment block that posed a significant safety risk to nearby residents.

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) successfully demolished the structurally compromised building on Abdel Nasser Road on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, using explosives at exactly 12:56 pm.

The demolition marked the end of a tense period during which local authorities warned of the imminent collapse of the building after a significant structural failure.

Despite the dramatic nature of the operation, no casualties were reported, and surrounding buildings remained undamaged as the high-rise crumbled to the ground in a controlled manner.

The 11-storey structure had been rendered unsafe due to the drilling of a borehole near its foundation, a development that caused severe compromise to the building’s structural integrity.

As the ground floor columns sank by approximately three meters, experts declared the building unfit for habitation and a danger to public safety.

Governor Nassir’s bold response

In the wake of the demolition, governor Nassir announced a crackdown on illegal construction projects in Mombasa.

He revealed that a Multi-Agency task force has been formed to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the building’s development.

The task force, chaired by Architect Laurence Gitau of the National Building Inspectorate, will examine the building’s construction process and the actions of local authorities involved in its approval.

In a statement posted to Facebook, Nassir emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability.

He also pledged that the findings of the investigation would be made public.

“We are taking decisive action. I have appointed a fully independent Multi-Agency Taskforce chaired by Arch. Laurence Gitau of the National Building Inspectorate to investigate the development and construction supervision of the unsafe building on Plot No. XLVI/195/MI,” Nassir wrote.

“The people of Mombasa expect a balanced, professional, and no holds barred report — which will be made public. Moreover, we will hand over the report to the relevant authorities to pursue criminal liability against all those found responsible,” he added.

As part of the response, the governor confirmed that building inspectors involved in supervising the construction of the ill-fated building had been placed on compulsory leave pending the completion of the investigation.

“On the part of the County Government, the building inspectors responsible for the supervision of works in this project have been sent on compulsory leave pending the outcome of the investigation. We owe it to the people of Mombasa to get to the bottom of this — and we will,” he revealed.

Emergency evacuations and safety measures

Ahead of the demolition, authorities implemented a large-scale evacuation plan, clearing buildings within a 1.2-kilometer radius of the structure, including the nearby Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital. Patients were relocated to hospitals in Utange and Port Reitz for safety.

Areas within the evacuation zone included critical infrastructure such as Digo Road, Hospital Road, Jomo Kenyatta Road, and Mwembe Tayari, as well as several residential and commercial buildings.

The precautionary measure was designed to prevent any potential casualties in case the building collapsed prematurely or unpredictably.

Speaking on the situation on Tuesday, governor Nassir explained that the decision to demolish the building was not taken lightly.

“The building has been declared structurally unsound and poses an imminent risk to life and property. In light of this, a controlled demolition has been scheduled to avert potential catastrophe,” he said.

The collapse of the 11-storey building has raised serious questions about oversight and the quality of construction in Mombasa.

The drilling of a borehole into the foundation of a high-rise building without prior approval was a key factor in the building’s collapse. This practice is illegal, as it can undermine the stability of the structure and endanger the lives of residents.

The demolition marks a decisive moment in Mombasa’s efforts to crack down on unsafe construction practices.

Governor Nassir’s announcement of a broader investigation into illegal developments comes amid growing concern over unregulated construction in the region, which has resulted in the rise of substandard buildings, many of which pose a serious safety risk to the public.