MOMBASA, Kenya – A former Member of Parliament for Embakasi South, Irshad Sumra, has revealed that the developers of a condemned 11-storey building demolished in Mombasa on Wednesday faced an estimated loss of between Sh300 million and Sh350 million in uninsured loans.
The building, which was located off Abdel Nasser Road, was brought down by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) using explosives at precisely 12:56 pm.
Despite the significant financial setback for the developers, Sumra expressed gratitude that no lives were lost in the operation, highlighting the importance of safety amidst the destruction.
“We are looking at a loss of around Sh300 million to Sh350 million, with no insurance coverage to offset the damage. However, we must be thankful to God that no lives were lost. We’ve seen buildings collapse before, and bodies being recovered. In this case, we’re fortunate,” Sumra remarked after the building’s demolition.
The Mombasa County authorities had deemed the structure unsafe due to severe foundation issues, which stemmed from unapproved borehole drilling into the building’s base.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir disclosed earlier this week that the ground floor columns had already sunk by around three meters, raising concerns for public safety.
A multi-agency team including representatives from the County Department of Lands, Urban Planning, Housing, the National Building Inspectorate, National Construction Authority, State Department of Public Works, and the KDF conducted a thorough assessment before the demolition decision was made.
According to authorities, the foundation’s instability posed an imminent danger to the surrounding area.
Despite the serious safety concerns, Sumra defended the developer, stating that they had adhered to all construction requirements, even exceeding them in certain instances.
He cited the installation of stronger steel beams than required and the use of thicker concrete, suggesting that every measure had been taken to maintain structural integrity.
“We went above and beyond. When instructed to use 600mm of concrete, we used 1,000mm. When asked for Y20 steel, we used Y25, and when the requirement was Y30, we opted for Y35,” he explained.
Sumra further clarified that the developers had secured official permits for a vertical extension of the building, which included approval for the addition of four more floors.
He emphasized that all necessary approvals had been granted, dismissing claims of unauthorized construction.
The former MP also expressed his willingness to face legal consequences, stating that if the authorities deemed it necessary to arrest him, he would comply.
“Kama ni kushikwa niko tayari kushikwa, tutapambana bwana,” Sumra said, reinforcing his confidence that all legal protocols had been followed.
The 11-storey building was originally slated for completion and opening in July or August of this year.
However, with the demolition, those plans have been put on hold, with Sumra acknowledging that the situation is now beyond the developers’ control.
