NCA report reveals failures leading to demolition of 11-storey building in Mombasa

A probe into the collapse and demolition of an 11-storey building in Mombasa in April has uncovered widespread regulatory failures, including credential renting by licensed engineers and architects, and inadequate inspection by county officers and National Construction Authority (NCA) officials.

These were identified as key factors behind the building’s partial collapse and its subsequent controlled demolition by the Kenya Defence Forces.

A multi-agency task force established by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir, investigating the collapse of a building in Mombasa that claimed one life, found fundamental design flaws, a lack of essential site investigations, such as the absence of a geological report, and poor professional supervision that affected the structural integrity of the building.

The task force further revealed that the project approval process was compromised by conflicts of interest, with county staff reviewing projects submitted by their colleagues.

There was also a lack of standard checklists, peer reviews, and discrepancies between county records and National Construction Authority data.

Beyond the architects and engineers, culpability extended to the building developer, contractors lacking technical capacity, unlicensed operators, and a county officer who facilitated procedural shortcuts and regulatory bypasses.

"We shall ensure that people who are building in Mombasa are prosecuted because that is endangering people's lives,” Nassir said.

On April 9, following a multi-agency assessment, the building at Kilifi Corner, Fayaz Estate in Mombasa, was declared structurally unfit due to severe foundational damage exacerbated by unauthorised borehole drilling, causing ground floor columns to collapse by about three meters.

A KDF team oversaw a successful controlled demolition using explosives. The building, which had developed dangerous cracks, was brought down safely to prevent imminent collapse.

The task force has recommended strict penalties for credential renting, mandatory disclosure of conflicts of interest, and compulsory peer reviews for complex or high-risk projects to prevent future tragedies.