Mombasa, Kenya – Sept’ 26, 2025- The County Government of Mombasa has directed all developers, property owners and agents with buildings constructed within the last five years to apply for inspection and obtain a Certificate of Occupation within 60 days.
In a public notice issued by the Department of Lands, Urban Planning, Housing and Serikali Mtaani, the county warned that occupation of any development without prior inspection and certification is illegal and poses a threat to public safety.
“Failure to comply with this notice shall result in prosecution under the applicable laws and may lead to evacuation of tenants and occupants from the affected premises,” said Mohamed Hussein (Amadoh), County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Urban Planning, Housing and Serikali Mtaani.
The directive comes in the wake of increased concerns over structural safety following recent cases of building collapses in Mombasa and other parts of Kenya.
Building Safety Concerns in Mombasa
In April 2025, an 11-storey building near Coast General Hospital in Mombasa was demolished after it began sinking, with investigators citing poor design, lack of soil testing, and weak oversight. The incident led to evacuations and the suspension of several county officials.
Other structures in Mvita and Majengo have also been evacuated over collapse fears, while nationwide at least 13 buildings collapsed in 2022, according to the Architectural Association of Kenya.
Sidebar: Families fear eviction as Mombasa tightens building rules
Tenants living in recently built apartments in Mombasa now face uncertainty after the county government ordered fresh inspections for all buildings constructed within the last five years.
Some residents expressed concern that non-compliant buildings may be evacuated, leaving families displaced.
“We just hope the landlords will comply quickly. We don’t want to be thrown out suddenly,” said a tenant in Mvita, whose building was put up in 2021.
The county has said evacuation remains a last resort, but insisted that safety of lives must take precedence.
