The 11-storey building in Mombasa goes down during the demolition exercise on April 9, 2025.
On April 2, 2025, Yusuf Ali Abdi walked into an 11-storey building under construction in the Kilifi Corner area of Fayaz Estate along Abdel Nasser Road in Mombasa to inspect a unit he intended to buy.
He had just left a nearby mosque after evening prayers.
However, a few minutes after entering the building, he was allegedly trapped when it collapsed.
That was the last time the Marikiti Market businessman was seen alive, according to nearby CCTV footage.
Initially, his family suspected he had been abducted and sought help from the Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) group.
They even staged a protest at Marikiti Market, claiming their loved one had disappeared under unclear circumstances.
Six days later, CCTV footage emerged confirming that he had been trapped in the collapsed building, leaving the family with more questions than answers.
They were informed that it was too dangerous to retrieve the body at the time and would have to wait for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to bring down the ill-fated structure.
The county government has since been clearing the debris in search of his remains.
His family has been camping at the site, which was brought down by the KDF on April 9, 2025, waiting to recover his body for burial.
Pain, anguish, and unanswered questions continue to haunt them.
“We just want to bury him. His body has been lying in the debris for nearly 11 days. If you go near the site, you can smell the body. He was trapped at around 6:40 p.m. on April 2, 2025, as per the CCTV footage. How long will it take to retrieve his body?” asked his brother, Hassan Hirsi.
Mombasa County Fire Brigade at the location where an 11-storey building was demolished on April 9, 2025.
Mr Hirsi said the family has been patient, but their patience is wearing thin.
He emphasized that they are not blaming anyone for his death, saying their only focus is to retrieve the body and find closure.
“We want closure,” he said.
The deceased leaves behind a widow and three children.
Old Town Ward Representative Abdulrahman Hussein condemned the building developer, who claimed that no one had died in the collapse.
Recovery process
“Our son, who was 35 years old, was the only casualty. He was trapped when the building collapsed—not during the demolition. CCTV footage shows him entering the premises and speaking to the watchman before the tragedy struck,” said the MCA.
He urged the county government to speed up the recovery process so the family can bury their loved one.
“We are even willing to bring our own excavators to recover the body. We know the exact spot where he was trapped,” he added.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said investigations into the incident are ongoing.
“The watchman will be questioned about why he opened the gate for the deceased. The county is currently clearing the debris, focusing on the last spot where he was seen. We are expediting the process,” said Mr Nassir.
Clearance of debris from where the demolished 11-storey building used to be in Mombasa.
He noted that the county government had deployed all necessary resources, including specialized sniffer dogs from the Regional National Police Service, to assist in the recovery.
“This is unimaginable pain. No loss is ever easy, but no family should face it without support. We are with you in this moment of sorrow, and we will not rest until closure is found. We want to ensure the family can lay their loved one to rest with dignity,” he said.
Already, the governor has suspended two county officials and halted operations at 20 construction sites as part of sweeping disciplinary measures following the collapse of an eleven-storey building in Old Town.
One of the suspended officers is from the Department of Lands, while the second has been sent on compulsory leave pending investigations.
watieno@ke.nationmedia.com
