Mombasa County to Demolish Unsafe Nine-Storey Building Amid Safety Concerns
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MOMBASA, KENYA – The Mombasa County Government has announced plans to carry out a controlled demolition of a structurally unsafe nine-storey building on Plot No. XLVI/195/MI, off Abdel Nasser Road. The demolition is scheduled for 8:00 AM tomorrow, following a comprehensive structural assessment by a multi-agency team.
The assessment, led by the National Construction Authority in collaboration with the County Department of Lands, Urban Planning and Housing, the National Building Inspectorate, the Kenya Defence Forces, and other relevant authorities, confirmed severe foundational damage. Unauthorized borehole drilling was identified as the primary cause, leading to the collapse of ground floor columns by up to three meters. Officials have declared the building unfit for occupation, posing an imminent threat to human life and property.
In a statement, Governor Abdullswamad Sharrif Nassir emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “This is a life-saving operation. We cannot and will not compromise on the safety of our people.”
Pre-Demolition Safety Measures
To ensure public safety during the operation, the County Government has outlined several critical measures:
✅ Patient Relocation: Of the 504 patients at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, 380 will be discharged. The remaining 124, including eight in intensive care, are being relocated to Utange and Port Reitz Hospitals. Ambulances from the County Government, Kenya Red Cross, and the Kenya Navy are on standby.
✅ Mandatory Evacuation: A 1.2-kilometer radius around the demolition site will be cleared. This includes parts of Digo Road, Hospital Road, Jomo Kenyatta Avenue, Mwembe Tayari, and sections of Ronald Ngala Road. Beach Management Units have also been directed to clear adjacent waters as a precautionary measure.
The demolition follows a series of recent structural failures in Kenya, prompting heightened vigilance in enforcing construction safety regulations. Authorities are urging residents and businesses within the affected area to cooperate fully to prevent casualties and property damage.
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