A routine demolition turned tragic on Monday when a two-storey building at Star of the Sea Primary School in Mombasa collapsed, claiming the life of a man working at the site. The incident occurred as crews were dismantling the ageing structure, which had long stood within the school compound. Sub-County Police Commander Nicholas Chalulot confirmed the fatality, noting that the man was caught beneath the rubble during the collapse.
Witnesses described a scene of panic and disbelief as dust filled the air and workers scrambled to locate their colleague. “He was just doing his job,” said one shaken onlooker. “We never imagined something like this could happen.”
Emergency responders arrived swiftly, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been released, pending notification of his family.
The school, a well-known institution in Mombasa, had reportedly commissioned the demolition to make way for new facilities. Authorities are now investigating whether safety protocols were followed during the process.
As the community mourns, questions linger about oversight and accountability. For many, the tragedy is a stark reminder of the human cost behind construction and development. A life lost—not in war or crime—but in quiet labour.
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