The County Government of Mombasa has announced plans to carry out a controlled demolition of an unsafe nine-storey building on Abdel Nasser Road in the Corner ya Kilifi area on Wednesday.
During a visit to the site, Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir urged residents and businesses within a 1.2-kilometer radius of the building to evacuate by 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
The controlled demolition is expected to commence at 8:00 a.m.
“Following the structural assessment, it has been determined that this building must be brought down. The military will conduct a controlled demolition tomorrow. I urge all residents and businesses within the 1.2km radius to evacuate. The process is expected to take approximately eight hours,” said Governor Nassir.
“The evacuation zone includes areas such as Markiti, Buxton, and up to City Blue Hotel due to proximity to the ocean. Please evacuate, as the blast from the demolition may impact your hearing, the dust could affect your lungs, and flying debris poses a serious safety risk,” he added.
Traders within the designated zone have been instructed to vacate the area by 2:00 p.m. today.
As a precaution, the county has already evacuated patients from the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH), including those in the Intensive Care Unit, to prevent any health risks during the demolition.
“To understand the gravity of the situation, consider that even the hospital is being evacuated,” the governor noted. “If you live or work in the affected areas, please evacuate. For those in upper floors, remember to leave your windows open to allow dust to clear out after the blast.”
The decision to demolish the building was made following a comprehensive structural assessment conducted by a multi-agency team, which included the County Department of Lands, Urban Planning and Housing, the National Building Inspectorate, the Kenya Defence Forces, and other relevant bodies.
The investigation revealed severe foundational damage caused by unauthorized borehole drilling, leading to the collapse of ground floor columns by up to three meters. Authorities have deemed the building structurally unstable and a serious risk to life and property.
“What used to be the first floor is now the ground floor. The entire building has sunk and is currently tilted by two centimeters,” said Governor Nassir.
The Kenya Defence Forces will manage the inner security perimeter, while the National Police Service and County Inspectorate will secure the outer cordon.
