Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has authorized the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers to oversee the controlled demolition of a building in Mombasa that is deemed structurally unsafe.
The nine-story structure, located at Kilifi Corner in Fayaz Estate along Abdel Nasser Road, will be destroyed through a controlled explosion set to begin at 8 a.m.
on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The building had been sinking since April 2, 2025, causing alarm for the safety of surrounding residential and commercial properties.
According to Tuya’s official notice, the decision to deploy KDF personnel was made in accordance with Kenya’s Constitution and the Kenya Defence Forces Act. The soldiers have been tasked with assisting the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, as well as the County Government of Mombasa, in handling the emergency situation caused by the building’s structural failure.
The notice outlined that the building’s foundation had been severely compromised due to illegal borehole drilling, which led to the collapse of ground floor columns by approximately three meters.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir provided further details, explaining that a multisectoral team had conducted a thorough review of the building’s condition before arriving at the decision to demolish it.
This team included representatives from the County Department of Lands, Urban Planning, and Housing, the National Building Inspectorate, the National Construction Authority, the State Department of Public Works, and the KDF.
Governor Nassir confirmed that the building had been declared structurally unsound, posing an immediate risk to life and property. In preparation for the demolition, several precautionary measures have been taken.
The nearby Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital has relocated 124 patients, including eight from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), to other hospitals, such as Utange and Port Reitz Hospitals.
Additionally, 380 patients are set to be discharged to further reduce risk in the area.To ensure the safety of the public, mandatory evacuations have been enforced within a 1.2-kilometer radius of the demolition site.
This safety zone spans several key roads, including Digo Road, Hospital Road, and Jomo Kenyatta Road, among others.
All residents and business owners within the designated area were required to evacuate by 6 a.m. on the day of the demolition. Any commercial entities within this zone were asked to vacate by 2 p.m. the previous day.
Governor Nassir also announced that the Nyali Bridge will be closed to traffic for one hour before the scheduled demolition. Commuters have been urged to adjust their travel plans accordingly.
For added safety, KDF personnel will manage the inner security perimeter, while the National Police Service and County Inspectorate will oversee a secondary boundary. All county emergency response staff who were on leave have been recalled to assist in the operation.
In the event of an emergency during the demolition, Port Reitz Hospital has been designated as the primary emergency response center.
Ambulances from the county government, Kenya Navy, and the Kenya Red Cross will be stationed nearby in case of injury. Once the demolition is complete, the military will assess the site for safety, after which civilian teams will begin clearing the debris and restoring the area.
Governor Nassir called for full public cooperation to ensure the success of the operation and minimize risk. He also emphasized the importance of vigilance in future construction practices, urging residents to be more cautious in how buildings are designed and constructed in the city.
The demolition operation is being carefully coordinated to avoid any casualties, with a strong focus on ensuring the safety of everyone in the vicinity.
