Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has opened up about the tense but meticulously planned demolition of a nine-storey building in the Kilifi area near Coast General Hospital on April 9. The structure, which cracked and tilted under its own weight on April 2, posed a significant threat to surrounding residents.
Speaking on the events, Nassir described the ordeal as “one of the most stressful moments” of his leadership, with the biggest challenge being the evacuation of over 60,000 residents within a 1.2-kilometre radius. “People were skeptical. This had only been seen in movies,” he remarked.
Upon receiving news of the tilting building while in Nairobi, Nassir flew to Mombasa and convened a task force. Expert advice confirmed that a crane-led demolition was too dangerous. The Kenya Defence Forces were brought in, recommending a controlled demolition using explosives.
The evacuation strategy included door-to-door alerts, radio announcements, and the mobilization of community health promoters, NGAO officials, and county administrators. Tononoka Hall became the command centre for the high-stakes operation.
The demolition, initially scheduled for 8 a.m. on April 9, faced delays after it emerged that some elderly residents had refused to evacuate discovered through TikTok live streams. Extra efforts were made to ensure complete evacuation.
Layered security was deployed around the site: the military controlled the innermost zone, while police and county inspectorate handled outer perimeters. Precautionary closures, including the Nyali Bridge, were instituted to prevent panic-related accidents.
At 12:55 p.m., the explosives were triggered, and within seconds, the building collapsed safely, raising dust but sparing lives.
One fatality was confirmed Yusuf Ali Abdi, who had entered the building on April 2. His body was recovered on April 13 after days of careful search.
Following the incident, the county suspended two officials and halted 20 construction projects linked to the professionals behind the failed structure.
“This wasn’t just a demolition,” Nassir said. “It was a moment that showed the power of planning, teamwork, and courage in leadership.”
