Mombasa developers call building collapse an “Act of God” as demolition ends

The developers behind the collapsed Sh350 million building in Mombasa’s Kilifi Corner area have said the structural failure was caused by an unpredictable earth movement.

Speaking publicly for the first time after the structure sank and tilted, they described the incident as an 'act of God' and insisted they followed all required legal and regulatory procedures.

The building was scheduled for completion in August this year before it suddenly shifted on April 2, triggering an urgent evacuation and the deployment of emergency teams from several agencies.

Politician Irshad Sumra, who spoke on behalf of the developers, said that from the start of the project, they had followed every rule set by oversight authorities, including the Mombasa County Government, the National Construction Authority (NCA), and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

"As the developers of this project, we would like to reaffirm that from inception, we strictly adhered to all legal and regulatory requirements. This included obtaining full approvals from the Mombasa County Government, NCA, and NEMA," he said.

He noted that every step in the construction was based on the right documentation and permits.

"Every stage of the project was carried out in accordance with the required documentation, permits, and compliance protocols," he added.

Initially approved as a six-storey building, the developers later sought permission to expand it to ten floors.

They maintain that the approval for the additional floors was granted through the proper procedures and that the changes met all legal conditions.

They also said that county officials were involved in frequent inspections to ensure the building met safety and construction standards.

Irshad explained that the construction team even went beyond the basic requirements by reinforcing structural elements.

"From a technical standpoint, we went above and beyond the prescribed standards. For example, where the structural design specified D20 reinforcement bars, we upgraded to D25," he said.

The developers believe the failure was not due to weaknesses in the construction but rather to an unexpected natural event underground.

"Despite our best efforts, rigorous planning, and substantial investment in quality, the building experienced an unfortunate and unforeseen event—sliding downward by one floor and developing a tilt. This was not due to structural inadequacy but rather an unexpected geotechnical shift, an act of God beyond human foresight or control," Irshad said.

He described the collapse as a painful experience for everyone involved, both emotionally and financially.

"It is a moment of great distress for all of us involved, and we humbly ask for your understanding and support during this challenging time," he said while addressing the press shortly after the building was brought down.

Irshad also thanked the emergency workers and local officials who took part in the response, including the Kenya Army, the Muslim Kumbhar Jamaat, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, Mombasa County staff, and other security agencies.

"Your professionalism, courage, and commitment have been invaluable during this difficult period," he said.

He added, "We also sincerely thank the neighbouring residents and businesses for their patience, support, and resilience in the face of this natural tragedy."

Though the building has now been demolished, the cause of the failure remains officially undetermined.

A multi-agency team continues to monitor the site, which remains sealed off to protect the public.

Windows from two nearby buildings were shattered during the incident.

Governor Abdulswamad said there had been delays in the demolition because some residents had refused to leave their homes and were trying to record videos from their windows.

He, however, praised the efforts of the military and all the teams involved, saying their coordination helped prevent any injuries.