High traffic was witnessed along the Nyali Bridge as residents rushed to cross to the other side ahead of the planned demolition of the 11-storey sinking building in Mombasa.
Matatus, tuk-tuks, and boda bodas all flooded the bridge as they rushed to migrate towards the northern mainland regions, including Nyali, Bamburi, and Kisauni, before the bridge and its subsequent road were closed to allow swift demolition.
In an official statement, the area leadership announced to all the residents to migrate to the opposite side for their safety.
''This is for your safety. I'd like to direct all those in the Coast General Hospital to move out, and while at it, leave all the windows of the hospital open and ensure everyone is out of the facility," the caution notice announced.
Initially, the county leadership directed residents to cross the bridge before 7am to allow demolitions to start by 7:30am; however, the process has been delayed due to traffic.
The migration follows a directive by the county government of Mombasa, which declared a storey building, located along the Abdel Nasser Road, structurally unfit following a multi-agency assessment.
The assessment was conducted on Monday, April 7, and found that the 11-storey building had severe structural damage on its foundations caused by a borehole that had been drilled near the residential building.
Residents in the building were ordered to vacate; businesses in the proximity were also asked to close.
Following the announcement by the county government, Defense Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya gazetted the official deployment of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers to assist with the demolitions.
"Notice is given that on the 7th of April 2025, the Kenya Defence Forces deployed to assist the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and the County Government of Mombasa," the special notice read in part.
The KDF will be working jointly with the National Police Service (NPS) officers to ensure safety during the process.
The 11-storey building will be demolished using a controlled eruption during an intense process expected to take four hours. According to the governor, a loud bang is expected, but residents have been asked to remain calm.
''A loud bang is expected shortly as part of the controlled demolition exercise taking place on the island of Mombasa. There is no cause for alarm or panic, as all necessary safety measures have been observed," the governor assured.
