Two Mombasa officials suspended as building collapse probe gets underway

The late Abdi’s family spoke of the anguish they endured during the nearly two-week search. Liban Hersi Hassan, a family spokesperson, described the experience as "devastating," adding that the prolonged recovery effort had left them emotionally drained.

Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir addressed concerns over the delay in retrieving the body, explaining that "it was impossible to remove the body before the demolition," citing safety concerns and structural instability.

As part of the broader inquiry into the tragedy, one county official has been suspended, while another has been sent on compulsory leave. Human rights organizations are now demanding swift justice and full accountability.

"This tragedy was avoidable," said Julius Ogogo, an officer with the Commission for Human Rights and Justice. "We are calling for thorough, transparent investigations. The family deserves answers, and the public needs assurance that such negligence will not be repeated."

Governor Nassir assured the public that an independent taskforce is leading the probe. “No county official is involved in the investigation. The taskforce has already collected samples as part of its technical assessment,” he said.

Operations at Coast General and Referral Hospital, which had been affected during the controlled demolition process, have resumed. The demolition itself marked a historic moment—it was the first time explosives were used in a controlled demolition in Kenya. Authorities prioritized public safety throughout the process.

Mombasa County Commissioner Mohammed Noor confirmed that “over 60 families were safely evacuated” before the building was brought down.

Echoing this, Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno said the operation had been a success: “Our objective was minimal damage, and we achieved that. It was a carefully coordinated effort.”

In a precautionary move, the county has suspended 20 additional construction projects. Investigators have found that the same engineers, architects, and county officials who worked on the collapsed building were also involved in these sites.

As the investigation deepens, public calls for accountability and reform in construction oversight have grown louder. The tragedy has reignited debates around building safety standards and enforcement of regulations in Mombasa County.