On Sunday, April 20, a group of football fans assembled at a local football viewing hall in Bamburi Mwisho area of Nyali Constituency, Mombasa County, ready to support their favourite European teams.
This is something they partake in each and every weekend, like other football fanatics of their ilk across the country. But as they gathered this weekend, little did the fans know what was going to befall them hours later.
At exactly 6 pm, the hall came tumbling underground. Two football fans were buried alive by the rubbles. Shell-shocked, it was at this moment that they realised they had literally been sitting on top a ticking time bomb. A 40-year-old, 120 feet septic tank was beneath this hall all this while, and probably the immense pressure of their dashing and dances — whenever their favourite English Premier League club scores — had finally caught up with it.
Search and rescue efforts were immediately triggered by the Mombasa County Government to try and save the two football fans.
Unfortunately, the body of a 54-year-old man, Abdallah Aziz Abdallah, was pulled from the collapsed septic tank early Tuesday, April 22.
The harrowing recovery operation has cast a harsh spotlight on illegal constructions in Mombasa County.
The grisly discovery came after hours of digging through layers of sludge and debris. According to Mombasa County’s Chief Fire Officer and head of disaster response, Ibrahim Basafar, the rescue team recovered Abdallah’s body at 12:39 a.m., nearly 60 feet below the surface.
“We dug an extra 20 feet after locating the body to confirm there were no other victims,” Basafar said. “It took us about one hour and 30 minutes. Once we reached dry soil, we concluded the operation. No one else was trapped.”
Abdallah, a resident of the area, lived next to the hall.
“It is heartbreaking. We don’t like recovery missions—they mean someone has already died,” Basafar lamented. “We prefer rescue operations, where there’s a chance to save lives. But how do we save lives when buildings are put up recklessly, with no regard for the law?”
To access the site, county officials were forced to demolish the Happy Annex Bar, a well-known but unauthorized establishment that had operated in the area for over three decades. The condemned hall was reportedly running under the same name, and neither had valid trading licenses.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir confirmed that preliminary investigations revealed the structure was illegally built atop the septic tank and lacked any form of regulatory approval.
“This unfortunate incident is a stark and urgent reminder of the critical importance of ensuring all developments are regularized,” said Governor Nassir. “We cannot compromise on safety, public order, or the rule of law.”
The incident is the second construction-related emergency to hit Mombasa in just two weeks. Earlier this month, county authorities had to bring down a dangerously leaning building that had also been constructed without proper approvals.
“We urge every resident to seek permits before building anything,” said Basafar. “Even the Land Titles Act prohibits 100% coverage of land without leaving access space. When you ignore these rules, it is your life—not just your property—that is at risk.”
The recovery site has now been handed over to the Department of Infrastructure and Public Works, which is expected to seal the septic tank and restore the area.
As shocked neighbours gathered in silence to watch the conclusion of the operation, the mood was heavy with grief and frustration. Abdallah’s family has positively identified the body, and police have taken over for post-mortem and further investigations.
“This should never happen again,” said one local resident, shaking his head. “One man dead. A whole community shaken. All because of ignorance and greed.”
Mombasa County is now under pressure to crack down on unauthorized buildings, and Governor Nassir has warned that more demolitions may follow.
