Explosive demolition of unsafe building in Mombasa leaves nearby homes, businesses damaged
During the demolition, a loud explosion ripped through Mombasa Island, sending a massive cloud of dust into the air. Though the operation ended without casualties, the force of the blast was far-reaching, blocking access roads and damaging buildings within a hundred-metre radius.
A controlled demolition carried out in Mombasa on Wednesday has left nearby buildings damaged after the 10-storey structure was brought down using explosives by the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF).
The building, located along Abdel Nasser Road, had been declared structurally unfit by a multi-agency team due to severe foundational issues. Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir confirmed that the decision to demolish the building followed concerns raised by residents and experts over its imminent collapse.
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“The ground floor columns had sunk by approximately three meters due to unauthorised borehole drilling into the foundation,” Abdulswamad said.
He also ordered the immediate evacuation of residents living near the building and directed that all schools within the affected radius be temporarily closed. In addition, businesses within a 1.2-kilometre radius were instructed to remain shut for at least eight hours on the day of the demolition.
During the demolition, a loud explosion ripped through Mombasa Island, sending a massive cloud of dust into the air. Though the operation ended without casualties, the force of the blast was far-reaching, blocking access roads and damaging buildings within a hundred-metre radius.
Videos circulating online showed nearby buildings with shattered windows, cracked walls and debris littered across the area. Some parts of the demolished building remained precariously hanging, while nearby shops and homes sustained considerable damage.
“The impact alone shows they weren’t prepared. How is it that a building being demolished causes damage even to markets? The entire operation affected people unnecessarily,” one resident lamented.
Another resident, called for accountability, saying, “Please Governor, make the owner pay the cost of nearby properties affected by that doomed building.”
Governor Abdulswamad, however, maintained that the demolition was necessary. “This was not just a decision taken lightly. The risk of collapse was real, and we had to act fast to prevent a disaster,” he said.
He also barred residents whose homes were affected from returning to their properties for safety reasons.
Speaking shortly after the controlled demolition, former Embakasi South MP Irshad Sumra claimed that the developers had suffered a financial loss estimated at between Sh300 million and Sh350 million in uninsured loans.
Irshad, who said he was representing the developers, acknowledged the economic blow but expressed relief that there were no fatalities.
“Buildings have been collapsing, and we retrieve bodies; shouldn’t we be thankful to God we have no bodies?” he posed.
The former legislator defended the developers, insisting that the project followed all required procedures and even exceeded structural recommendations.
“When we were told to put concrete of 600mm, we put 1,000mm. When we were told to use Y20 steel beams, we used Y25. When asked for Y30, we went with Y35,” he said, maintaining that the developers had obtained all necessary approvals, including clearance for vertical expansion by four more floors.
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