Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has gazetted the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers in Mombasa County to assist in the demolition of a high-rise building that is on the verge of collapse.
According to the gazette notice dated Monday, April 7, the military officers will be deployed to assist in the demolition of a 9-story building that recently developed cracks.
The KDF officers would be working jointly with officers from the National Police Service (NPS) to ensure the safety of the residents during the demolition process.
CS Tuya, while making the announcement, defended the move, stating that it was in line with sections 31 (1) (a), (c), and 34 (2) of the Kenya Defence Forces Act, which outlines KDF's cooperation with other relevant authorities and the process of deploying military officers.
"Under Article 241 (3) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, read with sections 31 (1) (a), (c) and 34 (2) of the Kenya Defence Forces Act, notice is given that on the 7th April, 2025, the Kenya Defence Forces deployed to assist the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and the County Government of Mombasa," read part of the notice by Defence CS.
"This is in the emergency response towards an eleven-story building situated at Kilifi Comer, Fayaz Estate, along Abdel Nasser Road, Mombasa County, that began sinking on 2nd April 2025, endangering adjacent residential and commercial buildings," Tuya added.
The gazettement comes a day after the County government of Mombasa declared the storey building, which is located along the Abdel Nasser Road, structurally unfit following a multi-agency assessment.
The assessment conducted yesterday established that the building had severe structural damage on its foundations caused by a borehole that had been drilled near the residential building.
Following the assessment, residents living near the building were ordered to immediately evacuate and move to safer regions ahead of its demolition in a multi-agency operation.
"This nine-storey structure has exhibited severe foundational compromise due to unapproved borehole drilling into the foundation, with ground floor columns collapsing by approximately three meters," read part of an assessment report by the Mombasa County Government.
"The building has been declared structurally unsound and poses an imminent risk to life and property. In light of this, a controlled demolition has been scheduled to avert potential catastrophe," the statement read further.
Addressing members of the public on Tuesday evening, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir ordered the temporary closure of all schools within the prescribed vicinity of demolition tomorrow.
Vehicle owners residing within Mombasa Island were urged to park at Mama Ngina and Ronald Ngala Ngala Grounds to avoid damage to windscreens.
