As reported by Nation Africa, the family of Yusuf Ali Abdi is heartbroken and furious after he was buried under the rubble of a demolished building in Mombasa. Yusuf, a 35-year-old businessman from Marikiti Market, entered the building on April 2, 2025, to inspect a unit he was interested in buying. Minutes after he entered, the building started to collapse.
Despite efforts to rescue him, he remained trapped, and the Kenya Defence Forces later demolished the structure on April 9, leaving his body buried beneath the debris.Yusuf’s family initially thought he had been abducted. They reported his disappearance and reached out to Muslims for Human Rights (Muhuri) for help.
They also held protests at Marikiti Market. It was only after checking CCTV footage that they confirmed he had entered the building that later collapsed. This realization turned their worry into deep frustration, especially as the recovery efforts dragged on.
The family has been camping at the site, pleading with authorities to retrieve Yusuf’s body. They say they can now smell the decomposing body and need closure. His brother, Hassan Hirsi, said they even offered to bring their own excavators to help remove the rubble.
Research shows that the building began sinking due to serious structural issues. The building was located at Kilifi Corner, Fayaz Estate, along Abdel Nasser Road. It was reported that illegal drilling of a borehole near the foundation may have caused the instability.
Former MP Irshad Sumra noted that the damage led to a loss estimated between Sh300 million and Sh350 million, with no insurance to cover it. The Kenya Defence Forces, with support from other agencies, carried out the demolition as a safety measure, but the decision has since been questioned because Yusuf’s body was still inside.
Governor Abdulswamad Nassir responded by launching investigations into the collapse. Two county officials were suspended one from the Lands Department and another placed on compulsory leave.
A total of 20 construction sites were also shut down in the county for safety checks. A watchman who was on duty when Yusuf entered the building is also set to be questioned.
Old Town Ward Representative Abdulrahman Hussein strongly criticized the building developer and called for faster recovery operations. The family, along with community members, say the recovery process has taken too long. There was even a promise from the governor that Yusuf’s body would be recovered within eight hours after the demolition.
That promise has not been fulfilled. This case has raised many questions about building safety and the speed of emergency response in Kenya. It also shows how poor planning and negligence can lead to tragic loss of life. The family’s pain continues to grow with each passing day as they wait for the body of their loved one to be found.
It is a painful reminder that human life must always come first, and authorities must do more to ensure that families like Yusuf’s are not left to suffer in uncertainty.
