Nassir suspends construction of 20 high-rise buildings.

The storey building behind [left] is marked for demolition at the Kibokoni area in Mombasa. April 6, 2025. [Omondi Onyango, Standard] Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has suspended the construction of 20 high-rise buildings under the contractor behind the 11-storey building demolished on Wednesday. Nassir failed to name the contractor despite questions from the press. He said the contractor will solely be held liable for the death of one person trapped in the rubble. The governor said the contractors failed to use standardised steel and materials. The governor also did not name the building whose construction was suspended amid mounting questions about his administration's laxity to stop the project that claimed one life. Nassir has suspended building inspectors despite calls from human rights activists in Mombasa to take action against the county building engineers and architects for the mishap. "We have suspended 20 building works under construction of the contractor behind the condemned building. All works by the said contractor have been and will be stopped, and once the preliminary report of the steel bars used comes out, we shall ensure they don't work anywhere in the country," said Nassir. Nassir said the experts spent four hours collecting samples of steel bars used on the pillars, and once the preliminary report comes out, action shall be taken on the contractor. "We cannot allow our emotions to take over and not hold people to account. Let us ensure people are safe first before we take action. We are rushing to see the steel bars used and if they meet the standard and quality mark. That is why we took four hours to take the samples," said Nassir. The governor said that he would ensure that the contractor's licence is revoked and he does not operate anywhere in the country. The governor was reluctant to answer the set limit of floors allowed on the island for high-rise buildings. Mombasa's skyline is dotted with 15- to 16-storey buildings. The governor also failed to disclose the name of the contractor and the county officials he sent home on compulsory leave and suspension. "We have sent one county officer on suspension and another on compulsory leave. We shall ensure their practising licence is revoked, and if they are found liable, all the licences will be revoked, and they will face legal action," said Nassir. He, however, admitted that there was a body trapped in the building and promised to have it retrieved. He said the clearing process and recovery will be solely done by the county to avert any blame. The governor said that the CCTV camera indicated there was a man trapped in the building and promised to help the family that has camped at the site to retrieve their kin's body. He said if the family of Yusuf Abdi decides to sue the contractor, he will support them. "If the family decides to take legal action, you will be charged. We have seen the CCTV footage and am so convinced there is a body trapped. Unfortunately, all the engineers and experts said it was impossible to retrieve the body the way the building was tilted. We shall take care when we reach the body after removing the top debris. I have given the family my assurance to support them," said Nassir. The governor also said services at Coast General Hospital (CGH) will resume, and all the patients are being returned to the hospital. "We are taking back all patients, starting with the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), HDU, newborns and accident department. We cannot open the hospital at all," said Nassir.

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11-storey building demolished on Wednesday
The storey building behind [left] is marked for demolition at the Kibokoni area in Mombasa. April 6, 2025. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

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Nassir suspends construction of 20 high-rise buildings.

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