Rogue architects, weak oversight blamed in Mombasa building failure
A taskforce formed by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has recommended sweeping reforms after uncovering widespread malpractice that led to the building’s structural failure and its demolition by the Kenya Defence Forces.
The collapse of an 11-storey building in Mombasa has exposed deep cracks in the country’s construction sector, including credential renting by rogue professionals, weak inspections, and blatant regulatory failures.
A taskforce formed by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has recommended sweeping reforms after uncovering widespread malpractice that led to the building’s structural failure and its demolition by the Kenya Defence Forces.
Governor Nassir, while releasing the findings on Friday, singled out credential renting—where licensed engineers and architects lend their credentials to unqualified individuals for profit—as a key factor behind the failed project.
"The names of those involved are out, and consequences are coming," he warned, ordering immediate structural integrity tests for all buildings linked to the professionals named in the report.
The report revealed that the project was pushed through despite critical issues remaining unresolved.
These included conflict of interest where county staff reviewed designs submitted by their colleagues, lack of peer reviews for risky projects, missing geological assessments, and poor verification between county and National Construction Authority (NCA) records.
It also flagged cases of unlicensed contractors, developers with no technical capacity, and a county officer accused of enabling shortcuts that bypassed set procedures.
Some individuals who posed as professionals lacked any qualifications.
On April 9, the Kenya Defence Forces supervised the controlled demolition of the high-rise using explosives after it was found to be at risk of collapse due to foundational cracks.
The operation saw police seal off the area, residents evacuated, and key facilities like schools and hospitals closed temporarily.
The Nyali Bridge was shut at both ends, and a single powerful blast brought down the building.
The taskforce has now proposed strict penalties for credential renting, mandatory disclosure of conflicts of interest, and peer review requirements for complex or high-risk projects.
