Questions as KDF brings down teetering 11-storey building

The storey building behind [left] is marked for demolition at Kibokoni area in Mombasa. Mombasa County and police officers have put arribon, marking the area as a no-go zone. The building has been sinking for the last few days. April 6,2025. [Omondi Onyango, Standard] Mombasa City was a ghost town for seven hours after residents were evacuated to allow for the demolition of a condemned 11-storey building by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). At least 600 patients, including eight in the Intensive Care Unit, were relocated from the Coast General Referral and Teaching Hospital for their safety. "It was a tiresome 30 hours of evacuating patients. The process has been stiff, as almost 600 patients in ICU, HDU and emergency were all evacuated," said a paramedic at the hospital. Transport to the North Coast through Nyali Bridge was paralysed after the area covering a 1.2-kilometre radius was cordoned off until the building was demolished by explosives at 12.55 pm. Hundreds of officers from the county inspectorate had a tough time moving some people who stayed put despite warnings. Residents of Bondeni, Kilifi area, Mwembe Kuku, Mwembe Tanganyika, Buxton, Floringi, Tononoka and parts of Old Town had been told to stay away to avoid possible flying objects. Meanwhile, questions have emerged about how the county planning department permitted the construction against the initially approved six floors. The owner of the building said the construction cost him Sh300 million. Other reports indicated that at least 70 per cent of the apartments had been sold to unsuspecting buyers. KDF officers, fire marshals and the county inspectorate were last evening combing the debris in search of one person suspected to have been buried when the building tilted last week. The building off Abdel Nasser Road crumbled under the heavy explosives that were heard about five kilometres away, giving relief to residents whose movement was limited and businesses stuck. "The exercise has been carried out with precision, and I thank the national government for the safe operation," said Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, noting that 17 ambulances were on standby. He said only one house had been damaged during the operation. The Governor said an assessment would be done, even as the developer said the construction was under strict inspection. The developer's spokesman, Irshad Sumra, said the county, National Environment Management Authority and National Construction Authority conducted regular inspections. He said it was unfortunate that the building later began sliding downwards by one floor and developing a tilt. "This was not due to structural inadequacy but rather an unexpected geotechnical shift, an act of God beyond human foresight or control," he explained. However, the county government officials said they had approved only a six-story building, contrary to the addition of four more floors on top of what had been approved. Human rights activists led by the Commission for Human Rights and Justice (CHRJ) Executive Director Mr Julius Ogogoh said county officers culpable of the offence of omission or commission should be prosecuted. "We have county offices that inspected the building regularly that should be investigated. We cannot say it is an act of God. We know the kind of graft in that department," said Ogogoh. Before the demolition, most areas on the island, including the oldest market, Markiti, along Abdel Residents of Bondeni, Kilifi, Mwembe Kuku, Mwembe Tanganyika, Buxton, Floringi, Tononoka and parts of Old Town moved out to avoid possible flying objects from the falling building. The bridge was closed at 7 am, locking residents from North Coast to the island. At the bridge, police and the county inspectorate barricaded both sides of the facility. Nassir said at least 17 ambulances were stationed in various parts of the island for emergencies. Fire brigades were deployed at various strategic streets for any eventuality. Houses near the building were damaged by the debris. Nassir said excavators would be deployed to remove the debris, adding that an exit report from the multi-agency will be released soon. Nassir was accompanied by the soldiers. On Tuesday, Defense Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya published a gazette notice to allow KDF to engage in the exercise.

Questions as KDF brings down teetering 11-storey building

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