Sinking building safely demolished in Mombasa
By Mishi Gongo and Wachira Mwangi
An 11-storey building that began sinking last week at Kilifi Corner in Fayaz Estate, along Abdel Nasser Road in Mombasa, was demolished Wednesday morning.
The building was brought down at exactly 12:55pm.
It began sinking on April 2, 2025, endangering adjacent residential and commercial buildings.
The ill-fated building before it was demolished.
Authorities said the structure also posed risk to the broader neighbourhood.
In response, the Mombasa County Government and the Ministry of Interior ordered evacuation within a 1.2-kilometre radius of the site.
A view of Nyali Bridge on April 9, 2025. It was cleared ahead of the demolition exercise.
Earlier, authorities moved around the Mombasa CBD urging residents to close shop and evacuate the area ahead of the planned demolition.
A multi-agency team comprising KDF personnel, police, county emergency units, and engineers oversaw the evacuation process.
KDF troops had been formally deployed to the coastal city through a Gazette notice issued on April 7, 2025, by Defence Cabinet Secretary Roselinda Soipan Tuya.
KDF soldiers evacuate traders from the Mombasa CBD ahead of the Wednesday demolition exercise.
Evacuation of patients from Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital began the day before. Ambulances arrived one after another, parking in a steady line as they collected the 128 patients set to be transferred to Port Reitz Hospital.
Among them were patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), carefully moved under tight supervision.
Ripple effect
Meanwhile, in other parts of the city, businesses and public services felt the ripple effect of the incident.
On the west side of Mombasa, matatu operators reported unusually low business.
“Most traders from town who buy from Kongowea decided to stay home. We barely made any trips,” said Peter Mwadime, a tout operating from Jomvu.
Boda boda operators, however, cashed in on the situation.
“I had made over Sh500 by 7am. People were avoiding matatus and preferred bikes,” said Ibrahim Abdalla, a rider based in Nyali.
At Mlaleo Health Centre, staff recorded a sharp rise in the number of patients.
A source who spoke to the Nation on condition of anonymity said the facility received more walk-ins than usual.
“Most people prefer Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital to clinics, but because of the temporary closure of Makadara, we have received more patients than usual,” she said.