No Lives Lost As Four-Storey Building Collapse In Mombasa, Kenya

A four-storey building near the Mackinnon Market around the Marikiti area of Mombasa County of Kenya collapsed on Saturday afternoon.

The Mombasa County Lands and Housing Department designated the structure dangerous for habitation on May 12.

It was scheduled for demolition, but it collapsed before Earthmovers could demolish the building. 

Fortunately, no one was hurt during the event, which took place just two hours after the Mombasa County administration dispatched a crew to remove all of the residents from the structure.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir stated that they had complaints from residents concerning dangerous structures in the Marikiti district.

A two-week warning was given for all renters to leave by May 27 after the building inspection team visited the premises and determined the structure was unfit for habitation.

“They were given a warning on May 12, but the tenants, the majority of whom are business persons, did not want to move out.

"This morning we sent a team to forcefully evict them,” said Nassir.

The Governor stated that they had heard rumours that some occupants had disobeyed the directive to leave the condemned structure.

The vacate order was implemented at the location by a crew under the direction of Lands Executive Hussein Mohammed.

Only two hours later, the structure of the building broke away and fell, with no one inside.

"I applaud the county officials who took swift action in enforcing compliance ultimately saving lives and averting what would have been a disaster. I'm glad no one is hurt," Nassir said.

The county boss also reiterated his message on the importance of having order in the city.