Governor Nassir Forms Taskforce to Probe Collapsed Building
The 10 storey-building that was demolished by Kenya Defense Forces KDF in Mombasa (Photo Courtesy)
By Harrison Kivisu
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Mombasa County government has constituted an independent taskforce to investigate whether there was compliance failures, incompetence and malpractices that contributed to the collapse of the 10 storey-building that ended in a casualty.
The multi-agency taskforce chaired by architect Laurence Gitau will investigate the construction and supervision of the unsafe building erected on plot no.XLVI/195/MI that was demolished through a controlled operation by the Kenya defense forces on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
“Where there is compelling evidence indicating construction compliance failures, professional negligence and possible malpractice in the construction and supervision of the said development, we have forms a taskforce that will bring a detailed report after two weeks,” he said.
The governor directed the county building inspectors involved in the project to proceed on compulsory leave pensing the outcome of the investigation and all building approvals standing suspended till further notice.
The building was brought down at exactly 12:55 pm. It began sinking on April 2, 2025, endangering adjacent residential and commercial buildings at Kilifi Corner in Fayaz Estate, along Abdel Nasser Road.
Through an executive order, Governor Nassir formed the taskforce saying it would conduct a full audit of all existing complete structures that have been constructed by the developer, contractor, and project engineer and project architect.
It will be composed of national building inspectorate (NBI) Engineers board of Kenya (EBK), national construction Authority (NCA), the directorate of criminal investigations-(DCI) Mombasa, Kenya institute of planners (KIP), board of registered Architects and quality surveyors and the Association of Architects of Kenya.
“The county treasury is hereby directed to allocate requisite funding and logistical support to facilitate the effective functioning of the taskforce.
The taskforce shall commence work with immediate effect and report to the office of the governor within 14 days from the date of the order,” he said.
Speaking during a media briefing in his office on Wednesday April 9, 2025 Mr Nassir said, “We would like to have the final report to guide legal and administrative action. People need to take responsibility.”
The governor reaffirmed the County’s commitment to safe, lawful, and sustainable urban development in accordance with the Constitution of Kenya, the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, and all applicable regulations.
