Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has announced the planned closure of Nyali Bridge to allow for the demolition of a 9-storey building located off Abdel Nasser Road.

In a statement dated Tuesday, April 8, the governor noted that the building, which has structural integrity issues, would be demolished on Wednesday, April 9, at 8 am.

Given that the county government, in collaboration with other government institutions such as the KDF, plans to conduct a controlled explosion, the bridge will be closed for one hour because of safety concerns

Therefore, no vehicle will access the bridge during the demolition exercise.

On the other hand, the government also detailed that his administration was relocating patients from the Coast General Hospital because of the planned exercise.

"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. 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 a potential catastrophe."

"The nearby Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital currently has 504 patients, out of which 380 are ready to be discharged. The remaining 124 patients, including 8 in the Intensive Care Unit, are being relocated to Utange and Port Reitz Hospitals," read the statement in part.

Additionally, businesses around the demolition area will be closed, with residents asked to stay away during the demolition.

"In accordance with international safety standards for explosive demolition, a 1.2-kilometre radius from the site must be fully vacated," read the statement in part.

"This radius extends from Digo Road to Hospital Road, Jomo Kenyatta Road to Mwembe Tayari to Kava Shibu Road, Faza Road to Kisauni Road, Tononoka Road to Muslim Road, and Tana Street to Wajir Road, stretching up to Solomon Castle Hotel and Ronald Ngala Road."