KDF demolishes Mombasa’s unsafe Storey building
The operation, which is currently ongoing, is expected to last for eight hours, but the authorities had earlier confirmed that it would take around an hour for the dust to settle after the collapse, which happened at 12:55 pm.
The condemned storied building that began sinking last week in Mombasa has been brought down.
The controlled demolition was handled by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) together with the National Police Service (NPS), among others, who are enforcing security at Kilifi Corner in Fayaz Estate.
No casualties were reported as locals had been asked to vacate the area.
The operation, which is currently ongoing, is expected to last for eight hours, but the authorities had earlier confirmed that it would take around an hour for the dust to settle after the collapse, which happened at 12:55 pm.
Activities within a 1.2 Km radius of the site have been suspended, with the Nyali Bridge, which is the key link between the Mombasa mainland and the island, being closed for the duration when the exercise shall be ongoing.
Emergency teams, including fire engines and ambulances, have been deployed and remain on standby. Security has been reinforced by personnel from the National Youth Service (NYS), Kenya Army, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and the National Police Service (NPS).
Speaking earlier today before the demolition, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir said the building’s fall is expected to have an impact, as he projected that no casualties would be incurred owing to evictions done yesterday, leading to today’s exercise.
“We thank Mombasa residents for their cooperation. The majority have temporarily vacated, and we remain on course to restore normalcy by this afternoon. We will likely hear a loud thud. This is a controlled demolition, so we don’t expect much impact,” the governor stated earlier.
The building began sinking at the start of this month, endangering adjacent residential and commercial buildings.
After investigations by the relevant authority, it was discovered that the structure posed an imminent danger to adjacent buildings and the broader neighbourhood, which led to the order of demolition by the City county government yesterday.
