A middle-aged construction worker tumbled and died while installing a new elevator in an 18-storey building opposite Sauti House in Mombasa on Monday evening.
The deceased was found facing down in the elevator shaft while his colleague successfully jumped from the lift and escaped unhurt. The police and the County Fire Department retrieved the body, one hour after the unfortunate incident.
The police investigation is ongoing, the deceased was transferred to the Coast Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) morgue.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Roads and Infrastructure Dan Manyalla said the deceased was trapped in an elevator shaft on the fourth floor of the building.
“The victim was removed from the lift without any safety gadgets. We normally recommend that there should be a Site Engineer, and a Safety Officer to guide on safety protocols,” said Manyalla.
“We will look at the legality of the building if it has approvals from the county. We will make sure that a thorough investigation is done and if they are culpable people will be brought to book,” he added.
Muslim for Human Rights (MUHURI) Rapid Response Officer Francis Auma accused constructors of violating safety measures leading to unavoidable deaths.
“We received a distress call that there is a disaster. A worker has lost his life because of non-compliance to safety measures. I am appalled that someone has lost his life due to negligence,” said Auma.
He added that he has documented all the deaths in buildings under construction. “This is not something new. It is the third death occurring in skyscrapers under construction in various parts of Mombasa in two years.”
He urged the police to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of the worker for his family to get solace.
On his part, Evans Momanyi, a Human Rights Activist said safety measures were ignored and those responsible should be apprehended and charged.
“The County Government of Mombasa must come out clearly if there are people who have neglected their duties they must be held responsible,” he said.
By Sadik Hassan
