After hours of meticulous planning, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers on Wednesday afternoon successfully demolished a condemned 11-storey building through a controlled detonation.
The building was on the brink of collapse due to serious structural and foundational defects.
A portion of the building had already sunk after an unauthorized borehole was dug around its foundation.
KDF bombs the sinking building in Mombasa. Photo: Courtesy.
A single, powerful blast was heard at approximately 1:55 pm, and within seconds, the building crumbled, an operation that showcased KDF’s precision and military expertise.
On Tuesday afternoon, both national and county governments announced that KDF would carry out the demolition using explosives,
The decision sparked concern among residents with many viewing the operation as risky.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir had earlier stated that the operation would take approximately eight hours to complete.
The Government mandated the emergency evacuation of all residents and patients within a 1.2-kilometre radius surrounding the building.
Governor Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that swift action was necessary to safeguard lives.
“We have reached a point of no return. A controlled demolition must happen, and this building will be brought down by the military. This decision has been made for the safety of the residents themselves. The order is clear: everyone within a 1.2-kilometre radius must evacuate,” he said.
