Mombasa County forms task force to investigate fatal building collapse

The County Government of Mombasa has formed an independent task force to investigate the deadly collapse of a multi-storey building on Abdel Nasser Road.

The tragic incident, which resulted in a fatality, has sparked widespread concern over the safety of construction practices in the region, leading to mounting public pressure for accountability.

In response, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir announced the formation of a multi-agency task force on Wednesday, which will examine the circumstances surrounding the building's failure.

The task force will be led by Architect Lawrence Gitau, Director at the National Building Inspectorate, and will include representatives from various professional bodies, including the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), the National Construction Authority (NCA), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), among others.

Speaking at a press briefing, Governor Nassir emphasized that the County Government had gathered substantial evidence pointing to negligence and lapses in compliance during the construction process.

"We are taking legal action against anyone found responsible for this incident. Professionals who signed off on unsafe works will be held to account. We must uphold safety standards in our urban developments," he stated.

The task force's investigation will focus on the developer, contractor, project engineer, and architect involved in the building’s construction.

The County Government has also suspended all ongoing construction projects associated with these parties until the investigation is complete.

Additionally, building inspectors found to have approved any unsafe construction projects will be placed on compulsory leave, pending verification of their actions.

Governor Nassir also announced a temporary halt to all applications for building extensions across the county.

"Any ongoing works involving engineers, architects, or contractors are suspended until the investigations are complete," he said.

"All building extension approvals are put on hold."

The task force, while operating independently for legal reasons, will receive support from a dedicated secretariat.

Governor Nassir emphasized that the task force would work swiftly, with the goal of providing a comprehensive report within two weeks.

"We would like to have the final report to guide legal and administrative action. People need to take responsibility," he said.

In a related move, the County Government has initiated a cleaning and fumigation exercise at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, which was affected by debris from the building demolition.

Governor Nassir confirmed that the hospital would reopen in the coming days after the cleaning process is complete.

"Today and tomorrow, the hospital is being thoroughly cleaned and sprayed to ensure patients are not exposed to any health risks," he added.

The Governor reiterated Mombasa’s commitment to safe, lawful, and sustainable urban development in line with the Constitution of Kenya and relevant planning laws.

"This is about saving lives and restoring public confidence in our urban planning processes. We cannot allow the mistakes of a few to compromise the safety of an entire city."