On Tuesday, April 8, Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir ordered all businesses and residents living near an 11-storey building on the verge of collapse to temporarily evacuate.
On Wednesday last week, passersby raised the alarm after witnessing the near-collapsing building showing signs of imminent collapse, with the matter being reported to authorities. Emergency teams have since been deployed in the area.
The building, which was nearing completion, had visible cracks on its columns, with the first floor already enduring a collapse. Authorities have since ordered the immediate evacuation of residents and businesses close to the building as a safety precaution.
With the demolition of the building set to take place on Wednesday, April 9, the Mombasa governor has issued new directions, including calling for businesses within a 1.2 kilometre radius of the collapsing building to steer clear of their premises for at least eight hours on Wednesday.
"People should not go to work within a 1.2 kilometre radius of the building. Everyone will have to vacate," the governor announced.
This directive affects several renowned amenities in Mombasa, including the popular Cityblue Creekside Hotel and Marikiti Market, which are all fairly close to the building, located at Lighthouse, Kilifi Corner.
The county boss also announced on Tuesday that patients in critical condition at the Makadara Hospital would be moved to different facilities because of the demolitions.
The county boss's directives effectively affect Mombasa residents who live, work, and operate around Marikiti, Bakstani, City Blue, and the Jomo Kenyatta road up to Nyali Bridge.
While the governor reassured the public that the demolition of the multi-storey building would not affect residential areas, he urged residents living nearby to vacate their houses because of the hearing risks involved in being so close to a demolition site.
"The dust which will emanate from those demolitions also poses a health hazard, especially to young children, hence the need to vacate," he added.
The demolition exercise is set to take place at 6am, and is expected to last eight hours.
Area residents were also cautioned earlier against rushing to the scene after the demolition to scavenge for parts, as this practice also posed a safety risk.
Abdulswamad's directive came hours after his government warned property developers in the coastal city against failure to comply with building approval conditions outlined in their permits or face the revocation of their permits.
Developers have also been directed to ensure they erect site boards and ensure all the safety protocols are taken into consideration.
