Mombasa readies for demolition of sinking building

Central Mombasa is gearing for a planned demolition of a nine-storey building declared structurally unsound after its floor columns sunk by three meters in a fault blamed on an unproved drilling of a borehole. 

Officials worked round the clock on Tuesday to evacuate the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital located in close proximity to the building off Abdel Nasser Road ahead today’s demolition. 

In compliance with international explosive demolition safety standards, the multi-agency team including the KDF declared a 1.2-kilometre radius around the condemned building as a mandatory evacuation zone.

Areas affected include Digo Road, Hospital Road, Jomo Kenyatta Road, Mwembe Tayari, Kava Shibu Road, and other adjoining streets. All residents and traders within the designated zone are required to vacate by 2pm today.

The KDF is designated to man the inner security cordon with the National Police and County Inspectorate enforcing restrictions on the outer boundary.

The operation will also see Nyali Bridge closed for an hour prior to the scheduled demolition with residents urged to adjust travel plans accordingly.