Mombasa: Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir has received a detailed report from a multi-sectoral task force probing the recent building collapse in the county. He assured the public that all those found responsible will face legal and disciplinary action.
According to Kenya News Agency, the report was prepared by a team led by Architect Lawrence Gitau from the National Building Inspectorate and included professionals from the Engineers Board of Kenya, the Kenya Institute of Planners, the National Construction Authority, and other regulatory agencies. The eleven-storey building, which collapsed on April 2nd, resulted in the loss of one businessman’s life and prompted a controlled demolition of the remaining structure to ensure public safety.
Governor Nassir emphasized the gravity of the incident and assured that the findings would not be disregarded. He stated that the people of Mombasa deserve answers and that the report, being independent, would be acted upon based on its recommendations.
The findings revealed that structural flaws in the collapsed building originated from the design stage. The task force disclosed that the architect whose stamp was used in the approval process was not the actual designer. Architect Kinuthia, an employee of the County Government, approved the building and has since been suspended pending further action by the County Public Service Board.
The report identifies Mr. Wallah Kinyanasia as the individual who obtained the initial building approval, while construction was carried out by Mr. Samji Varsami. Governor Nassir described the situation as a coordinated scheme involving a small group of rogue architects and engineers, and he mentioned that the county would formally request professional bodies to investigate all parties involved.
The task force highlighted systemic weaknesses in the construction and regulatory sectors, pointing to poor supervision, misuse of professional credentials, weak enforcement of building standards, and outdated approval processes. It also provided a roadmap for strengthening oversight and building safer urban environments.
In response, the county government has initiated key reforms, including recruiting 11 additional building inspectors. The governor stated that all inspections would now be conducted by county officials, and the county plans to integrate its construction approval system with national regulatory platforms like the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) and the Engineers Board of Kenya.
Governor Nassir also announced that all ongoing projects linked to the implicated individuals would undergo structural integrity assessments. These tests will be conducted at the investor’s cost, and the county will pursue legal action against developers to recover expenses related to the emergency response and demolition.
So far, construction has been halted on approximately 100 buildings in Mombasa County linked to the same group of individuals. Authorities have issued six arrest warrants against developers who defied stop orders and continued illegal construction activities. Two county staff members are currently facing disciplinary proceedings.
Taskforce Chair Architect Gitau commended the governor’s leadership and recommended mandatory geotechnical surveys for all high-rise buildings in the county, especially on the Island, to determine ground suitability before construction. He expressed hope that these recommendations would be adopted by other counties to prevent similar tragedies.
The task force’s findings and recommendations will be forwarded to the Council of Governors, the Engineers Board of Kenya, the Architectural Association of Kenya, and the National Construction Authority to help prevent the recurrence of similar incidents across the country.