Clash of culture versus modernity: Changing Mombasa skyline

For Robert Alain, a Kenyan of Seychellois origin, Mombasa's skyline is changing rapidly. "In a span of ten years, there has been considerable change in Majengo, where I grew up in the early seventies," Lain said.

"The iron-sheet-roofed four-bedroom houses are disappearing fast, and in their place are high-rise buildings whose construction takes a year to complete," he added. 

This is the story all over this port city. Mombasa Island and Old Town, renowned for their historic Swahili architecture, are fast changing.

The key pillar of Kenya’s cultural identity and tourism economy is vanishing as culture is being edged out by modernity. 

Building expert David Jomeli said the coastal city's skyline is rapidly changing as modern developments replace older structures, with many heritage buildings being demolished.

"This trend poses a significant risk: Mombasa is gradually losing its unique touristic appeal and jeopardises its UNESCO World Heritage status. Areas such as Old Town and Majengo are particularly vulnerable," Jomeli said.

Jomeli, like other building and construction experts, has come up with a raft of recommendations to help have some control over the influx of high-rise buildings that are completely altering the way the historical city used to look.

Turning to Old Town, which has huge historical and cultural significance, Jomeli asserts the need for policy enforcement where the national and county governments and the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) should ensure strict adherence to existing conservation policies governing restoration, alteration, and demolition within gazetted heritage zones.

Jomeli stressed that restoration efforts must prioritise both architectural authenticity and structural safety, supported by upgraded infrastructure that respects the historic fabric.

He championed sustainable green building practices where the introduction of sustainable restoration methods and green building standards must be practised. 

"This approach not only protects heritage but also creates employment opportunities for artisans, masons, and construction workers skilled in traditional and modern sustainable techniques," added Jomeli.

He insists that preserving Mombasa’s built heritage is not anti-development.

"It is a strategic investment in cultural tourism, local jobs, and Kenya’s global international standing. Able to compete with cities like Munich in Germany or Florence in Italy", Jomeli, who is also chief engineer for roads and structural works at the county government of Lamu, said.

Experts say devolved units sit at the top when it comes to local planning and development control, issuing construction permits, and ensuring compliance with zoning regulations and the National Building Code. Each county has its own specific requirements and procedures.

All and sundry, like the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), which oversees environmental conservation and ensures construction projects comply with environmental laws through Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), and the National Construction Authority (NCA), which enforces the National Building Code, registers contractors, and ensures compliance with quality standards and safety regulations in the construction industry, must all work in tandem to ensure the city remains safe for habitation.

Other agencies that have a critical role to play in ensuring sustainable building and construction in a fast-growing city like Mombasa include the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors, which regulates architects and quantity surveyors, ensures they are qualified and adhere to professional standards, and the Engineers Registration Board, whose key role is to register and regulate engineers in Kenya.

Not to be left out is the public health department that ensures buildings adhere to public health standards, especially regarding waste disposal and sanitation.

The Fire Department, which reviews building plans for fire safety compliance and issues fire safety certificates for commercial and multi-storey buildings, and lastly, the Water and Sanitation Department, which solely approves water and sewer connections.

Jomeli singles out for mention the collapse of a high-rise building under construction that collapsed, leading to the death of one person last year, and the subsequent instituting of a task force, which was tasked with finding out the cause of the building failure and the future of building safety in Mombasa County by Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir.

"As a structural engineer and an active stakeholder in the built environment, I wish to commend Governor Nassir and the task force for their timely and comprehensive efforts in investigating the root causes of building failures within Mombasa County," he said.

The report Jomeli explained stands out not only for its depth but also for the actionable roadmap it offers towards a safer, more resilient built environment.

"The formation of the task force is both a commendable and necessary step. It reflects a proactive leadership approach in confronting the alarming trends of structural collapses and compromised construction practices. The findings and recommendations outlined in the report reaffirm the county's commitment to preserving life, protecting property, and restoring public confidence in the construction industry," he said.

He said that, as a professional in the field, he fully endorsed the task force's major conclusions and policy direction, in particular the need to reinforce regulatory oversight and ensure consistent enforcement of building standards; the insistence on mandatory registration and licensing of professionals and firms in the construction space; and the recommendation for peer reviews and third-party audits for structural designs, especially for multi-storey and complex buildings.

Jomeli proposes digitisation of building approvals, where a centralised digital portal for plan submissions, reviews, and tracking would significantly improve efficiency and transparency and reduce opportunities for malpractice or procedural bottlenecks.

"Introduce routine structural integrity assessments for existing buildings—especially older, repurposed, or high-occupancy structures. These audits should lead to enforceable compliance action where safety risks are identified," he said.

He further wants all devolved units to ensure that they integrate GIS-based risk mapping and structural data to identify high-risk construction zones, as this will support better planning decisions, zoning enforcement, and pre-emptive risk mitigation.