A preliminary investigation by the National Construction Authority (NCA) has suggested that the collapse of a storey building in the Majengo area of Mombasa was likely caused by soil saturation.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, November 11, has raised concerns about the safety of construction practices in the region.
According to the NCA’s initial findings, the soil saturation was linked to a soakage pit located near the building site.
The authority confirmed that the structure, a proposed 17-floor residential building still in the early stages of construction, was undergoing foundation work and excavation at the time of the collapse.
While the NCA’s report did not confirm the exact cause of the failure, it dismissed claims that the building lacked the necessary statutory approvals.
“Preliminary reports have confirmed that the project had the requisite statutory approvals,” the statement read.
The authority has announced plans to conduct a more detailed investigation in the coming days to fully understand the cause of the structural failure.
In the meantime, rescue operations have concluded, and the site has been cordoned off to prevent further incidents.
“A detailed investigation will be conducted in the coming days to determine the actual cause of the structural failure,” the NCA added.
A soakage pit, which is designed to allow water to seep gradually into the ground, can be a key factor in destabilizing soil when not properly managed.
The NCA highlighted that the pit near the construction site may have contributed to the excessive moisture in the ground, weakening the foundation of the building.
The collapse occurred during excavation work on one half of the construction site. Tragically, one worker lost their life, and four others were injured.
The Kenya Red Cross reported that two individuals were rescued shortly after the collapse, while one person remained trapped under the rubble.
A multi-agency rescue operation involving the Kenya Police, Mombasa County Government, and the Kenya Red Cross was immediately launched to search for survivors.
Images from the scene show the building’s walls completely caved in, with construction workers and rescuers attempting to recover those trapped beneath the debris.
The incident occurred around 3:00 p.m., and rescue efforts were ongoing into the evening.
The collapse occurred shortly after the Kenya Meteorological Department had issued forecasts for heavy rainfall across several parts of the country, including the coastal region.
This raised concerns that the rain may have contributed to the soil saturation, exacerbating the structural instability of the site.
This latest tragedy in Majengo adds to the growing list of building collapses in recent months.
In October, a similar incident occurred in Nairobi’s Kahawa West area, where a seven-storey building collapsed, resulting in the death of a child.
The frequency of such accidents has led to renewed calls for stricter enforcement of building regulations and enhanced oversight of construction projects.
The NCA has pledged to continue its investigations and ensure accountability in the construction industry, emphasizing the need for better safety protocols and risk management in the face of challenging environmental conditions.
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