A damning report by the National Construction Authority (NCA) has revealed a cascade of regulatory failures that led to the partial collapse and subsequent demolition of an 11-storey building in Mombasa in April. The building, located at Kilifi Corner in Fayaz Estate, was deemed structurally unsafe after ground floor columns sank by nearly three metres, forcing the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to carry out a controlled demolition.
The multi-agency task force established by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir found that widespread malpractice contributed to the disaster, which claimed one life. Key among these were cases of credential renting, where licensed engineers and architects allowed unqualified individuals to use their registration details. This, coupled with poor inspection by both county officers and NCA officials, undermined the safety of the construction.
Fundamental design flaws, the absence of a geological report, and inadequate professional supervision further weakened the structural integrity of the building. The report also highlighted a compromised approval process plagued by conflicts of interest, with county staff reviewing projects submitted by their colleagues. This lack of objectivity was compounded by the absence of standardised checklists, peer reviews, and discrepancies between county and NCA records.
Responsibility extended beyond professionals to include the building developer, contractors without technical qualifications, and a county officer who facilitated shortcuts in regulatory procedures. The task force discovered that unauthorised borehole drilling near the site worsened foundational instability, contributing significantly to the collapse.
“We shall ensure that people who are building in Mombasa are prosecuted because that is endangering people’s lives,” said Governor Nassir in response to the report.
The task force has issued a series of recommendations to avert future disasters, including strict penalties for credential renting, mandatory declaration of conflicts of interest, and compulsory peer reviews for high-risk or complex projects.
The Mombasa tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of building regulations and professional accountability, as the city grapples with rapid urbanisation and rising construction risks.
