How KDF Prevented Disaster with Controlled Demolition in Mombasa

A controlled demolition executed by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) at 12:55 PM yesterday brought down a dangerously tilting 11-story building near the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa County, averting a potential disaster. 

The operation followed the emergency evacuation of the building and surrounding area after the structure began to sink, prompting immediate action from a multi-agency task force. Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has praised the coordinated effort between the military, National Police Service, and local authorities, emphasizing that public safety was the paramount concern. 

He notes the absence of casualties as a key indicator of the operation's success. The demolition, originally scheduled for 8:00 AM, was delayed due to the reluctance of some residents to leave the designated safety zone. Authorities established a 1.2-kilometre exclusion radius around the building, and while the subsequent explosion generated a powerful tremor, only minor damage to three adjacent buildings was reported. 

Seventeen ambulances, water bowsers, and fire engines were strategically positioned on standby as part of the emergency response plan. Following the successful demolition, KDF personnel celebrated with displays of song and dance. The developers of the Sh350 million building, breaking their silence, have attributed the collapse to unforeseen "geotechnical shifts," asserting that the construction adhered to all regulatory and legal standards. 

Spokesperson Irshad Sumra says that enhanced materials, including D25 reinforcement bars exceeding standard specifications, were used in the construction. He expresses gratitude to the authorities, volunteers, and residents for their cooperation throughout the crisis while reaffirming the developers' commitment to safety, integrity, and transparency as they manage the aftermath.