Tragedy struck in the Jomvu sub-county of Mombasa on Sunday when an old perimeter wall collapsed on mourners attending a funeral meeting, leaving five people dead and three others injured. The accident occurred in the Miritini area around 2:30 p.m. and was attributed to the heavy downpour that has been affecting the region in recent days.
The victims included four women and one man, according to a police report. All the injured individuals were women, and they were rushed to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
The wall, which surrounded the Kusco Company premises, caved in during the gathering, sending mourners into panic. Chief Binti Saidi Mwangolo alerted authorities immediately after the incident, prompting swift action from local law enforcement and emergency responders. Officers from Maganda Police Station, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Jomvu, and the Administration Police Service (APS) Jomvu were deployed to the scene to coordinate rescue efforts and assess the situation.
Details of the Collapse
Initial investigations revealed that the wall was aged and in a weakened state, which made it vulnerable to the heavy rains pounding the area. The combination of structural deterioration and saturated ground conditions likely contributed to the collapse.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the wall came crashing down, trapping mourners who were seated nearby. The weight of the debris made rescue efforts challenging, but bystanders joined forces with emergency teams to pull out those affected.
“The sudden collapse was unexpected,” said a mourner who narrowly escaped the tragedy. “We were gathered to comfort the bereaved family, and now we are mourning even more lives.”
Casualties and Ongoing Investigations
The deceased victims’ bodies were transported to the Coast General Hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy, as investigations into the incident continue. Authorities aim to determine whether negligence or other factors may have contributed to the disaster.
The injured women are receiving medical care, and their condition remains stable according to hospital reports.
Mombasa County Police Commander Stephen Matu expressed condolences to the families of the victims, urging property owners to regularly inspect and maintain structures, especially during the rainy season.
“We are deeply saddened by this loss of life. This incident underscores the importance of ensuring the structural integrity of walls and buildings,” Matu stated.
The Impact of Heavy Rains
Heavy rains have wreaked havoc across parts of Kenya in recent weeks, causing floods, landslides, and infrastructural damage. The incident in Jomvu is the latest in a series of weather-related tragedies.
Experts warn that poorly maintained structures are particularly susceptible during the rainy season. Structural engineers stress the importance of proactive inspections to identify weak points and prevent similar incidents.
A Call for Preparedness
Local leaders have called for heightened vigilance and disaster preparedness measures. They emphasized the need for public awareness campaigns to educate residents on safety precautions during the rainy season, including avoiding proximity to old structures and seeking refuge in safer locations during heavy downpours.
The Kenya Red Cross Society has also offered support to affected families, pledging to assist with counseling services and humanitarian aid.
Mourning a Community Loss
The tragedy has left the Jomvu community reeling, as residents rally around the bereaved family and others affected. Funeral arrangements for the deceased are yet to be announced, pending autopsy results.
As the rainy season continues, authorities are urging Kenyans to exercise caution and report any structurally compromised buildings to prevent further loss of life. For the mourners in Jomvu, the tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictable dangers posed by extreme weather and aging infrastructure.
