KDF rejoice after safe demolition of Mombasa building

The 11-storey building the moment it collapsed after being demolished with explosives, April 9, 2025. /CHARLES MGHENYI

The Kenya Defence Forces Wednesday successfully demolished a 11-storeyed building in Mombasa, bringing to an end fears of impending disaster after the building's structural integrity was compromised by the drilling of a borehole.

The building located off Abdel Nasser Road was demolished by explosives at exactly 12.56 pm under KDF's supervision.

No casualties were reported and nearby buildings remained untouched as the tall structure crumbled into a heap of rubble.

After the dust settled and the area declared safe, the officers assembled atop the debris and broke into song in an expression of joy at a job well done.

"Igongwe, igongwe, aah igongwe!...kaskia raha kaskia raha," they sang in unison and accompanied the chorus with clapping.

On Tuesday, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said the building exhibited severe foundational compromise due to unapproved borehole drilling into the foundation.

He said the decision to bring it down was reached after ground floor columns collapsed by approximately three meters.

"The building has been declared structurally unsound and poses an imminent risk to life and property. In light of this, a controlled demolition has been scheduled to avert potential catastrophe," Nassir said.

KDF were assisted in the demolition by officers from the County Department of Lands, Urban Planning and Housing, the National Building Inspectorate, the County Security Team, the National Construction Authority, the State Department of Public Works and County Disaster Response Team.

Nearby buildings within a 1.2 kilometre buffer zone were evacuated, including the nearby Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital whose patients were relocated to Utange and Port Reitz hospitals.

Buildings within the radius which extended from Digo Road to Hospital Road, Jomo Kenyatta Road to Mwembe Tayari to Kava Shibu Road, Faza Road to Kisauni Road, Tononoka Road to Muslim Road, and Tana Street to Wajir Road, stretching up to Solomon Castle Hotel and Ronald Ngala Road, underwent mandatory evacuation.

Military engineers coordinated the operation after hours of preparation.

Explosives were placed at strategic points inside the building's pillars to trigger inward collapse upon detonation.

Ambulances and firefighters were on standby as the multiagency operation was underway. 

As a safety measure, the iconic busy Nyali Bridge remained closed to all traffic prior to the scheduled demolition.