Mombasa County Government has ordered an emergency evacuation of residents, businesses, and patients within a 1.2-kilometre radius of a condemned nine-storey building on Abdel Nasser Road, slated for demolition on Wednesday.
The building, declared structurally unsound following a multi-agency assessment, was found to have severe foundational and structural damage. Authorities revealed the collapse of the ground floor columns by up to three meters, reportedly caused by unauthorized borehole drilling that led to the caving in of two floors.
Governor Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir emphasized the urgency of the operation, saying the County was forced to act swiftly to prevent a potential disaster. “This decision was made purely out of concern for public safety. Lives are at risk, and we cannot afford to take chances,” he said.The inspection team comprised officials from the County Department of Lands, the National Building Inspectorate, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), and other relevant agencies.
The KDF will spearhead the controlled demolition, while the National Police Service and County Inspectorate officers will secure the outer perimeter.The evacuation zone extends from Abdel Nasser Road through Marikiti to Buxton.
Residents, workers, and the public have been urged to vacate all buildings within this radius, including schools, madrassas, mosques, and workplaces.Patients at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH), which falls within the affected zone, have already been relocated to safety.Businesses and traders have been directed to shut down and vacate by 2:00 PM today. In addition, the County Government has announced the temporary closure of Nyali Bridge to all traffic one hour prior to the scheduled blast.
The demolition operation is expected to be completed within the day, after which debris removal and further site investigations will begin. The County Government has appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate fully with authorities during this critical exercise.
