Mombasa building demolition: Taskforce granted 7-day extension to complete probe on regulatory failures
Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir issued Executive Order No. 5 of 2025, granting the extension after the taskforce cited the substantial scope of work still pending, including multiple site visits and in-depth reviews of construction and supervision processes.
The Mombasa County Government has extended the tenure of the Taskforce on Regulatory Compliance in the Construction Sector by an additional seven working days, following a formal request by the team to complete ongoing investigations into regulatory failures linked to the recent demolition of a high-rise building.
Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir issued Executive Order No. 5 of 2025, granting the extension after the taskforce cited the substantial scope of work still pending, including multiple site visits and in-depth reviews of construction and supervision processes.
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The taskforce was initially expected to deliver its report after two weeks of its formation.
The taskforce was established on April 9, 2025, to investigate the circumstances that led to the structural failure of a multi-storey building located off Abdel Nasser Road.
The building, which had shown signs of instability, was later declared structurally unsound and in breach of several critical construction and safety standards.
In response, authorities, with technical support from the Kenya Defence Forces, conducted a controlled demolition of the building to avert a potential disaster.
The incident reignited public concern over the safety of construction practices in Mombasa and prompted widespread calls for transparency and stricter oversight.
A statement from the County Government noted that the extension is necessary to “allow the Taskforce to complete its comprehensive review and finalise its report.” It added that the findings will aim to strengthen regulatory oversight, address systemic failures in the construction approval chain, and uphold public safety across the county’s fast-growing urban landscape.
The taskforce, composed of independent experts, engineers, and legal professionals, has reportedly encountered gaps in enforcement, questionable project approvals, and lapses in inspections during preliminary investigations. These revelations are likely to inform the recommendations expected in their final report.
“The County Government remains steadfast in its pledge to transparency and accountability. Upon completion of the Taskforce’s work, the findings and recommendations will be made public to ensure that the issues under review are comprehensively addressed.”
Residents have been urged to remain patient as the county seeks to safeguard the integrity of its built environment and prevent future tragedies linked to substandard construction.
The taskforce’s final report is now expected within the next week.
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