The recent demolition of a high-rise building in Mombasa has stirred public interest and concern. Former Embakasi South MP Irshad Sumra revealed that the developer invested between Ksh 300 million and Ksh 350 million in the project.
Unfortunately, the building was brought down by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) on Wednesday, April 9. The reason? Safety fears following structural damage caused by heavy rains.
The incident has sparked questions about building safety, government action, and developer responsibility in Kenya’s booming construction sector.
KDF Demolishes High-Rise Building After Safety Scare
The building in Mombasa started showing cracks after weeks of heavy rainfall. By early April, one floor had already caved in, and the basement was unstable. Mombasa County officials grew concerned about the structure’s safety.
On April 3, officials ordered all residents to evacuate. Chief Officer of Fire and Disaster in Mombasa, Ibrahim Basafar, said the building appeared crooked and didn’t follow the right dimensions. He also suspected that some construction guidelines were ignored.
The situation worsened, and the government stepped in. On April 9, the Defense Cabinet Secretary sent KDF officers to handle the demolition. They used explosives to safely bring the building down.
To prevent harm, authorities evacuated thousands of patients from the nearby Coast General Hospital. They also closed the Nyali Bridge during the exercise, which was successfully completed the following day.
Developer of the Mombasa Demolished Building Spent Ksh350 Million—Without Insurance
Former MP Irshad Sumra, who spoke on behalf of the developer, revealed the shocking financial loss. He said the building had no insurance.
“The building cost between Ksh300 million and Ksh350 million,” Sumra said. “There was no insurance, but thankfully, no flat owner lost their money. The plot owner paid from his own pocket.”
He added that the funds used were from a loan, and the developer now faces the burden of repayment. “We’ve lost a lot, but money isn’t more important than life. We thank God no one died,” he said.
Sumra also explained that they chose to demolish the building to prevent a tragedy. He emphasized that lives matter more than profits.
Developer Defends Construction Quality
Sumra firmly defended the construction process. He stated that the team followed all safety and quality requirements.
“When we were told to use 600mm kokoto, we used 1,000mm,” he said. “Where we were told to use Y20 steel, we used Y25. For Y30, we used Y35.”
He said the developer even received approval to build four more floors, bringing the total to 15. The additional floors were supposed to be completed by August this year.
“There’s nothing to hide,” he insisted. “We got the permits. There’s no foul play. We are ready to show all documents.”
Sumra also serves as the secretary-general of the Kenya Iron and Scrap Metal Association. He noted that the developer acted in good faith and followed the rules. Despite that, questions still linger over how the building became unsafe so quickly.
The Mombasa Demolished Building case has highlighted serious concerns in Kenya’s real estate sector. While the developer insists the structure met all standards, officials and experts say otherwise.
With over Ksh350 million lost and no insurance cover, the case serves as a lesson to future developers and a call for stricter enforcement of building codes.
The focus now turns to ensuring accountability and protecting lives in the future. As Mombasa rebuilds and recovers, the incident remains a warning about the risks of urban growth without strict oversight.
