Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has gazetted the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel to assist in the demolition of a nine-storey building in Mombasa.
In the notice issued on Tuesday, April 8, Tuya cited the Kenya Defence Forces Act (Cap. 199) and Article 241(3)(b) of the Constitution as the legal basis for the deployment.
The move follows concerns over a high-rise building located at Kilifi Corner, Fayaz Estate along Abdel Nasser Road, which began sinking on Wednesday, April 2.
"Pursuant to 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 was deployed to assist the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and the County Government of Mombasa in the emergency response towards an eleven storeyed building situated at Kilifi Corner, Fayaz Estate along Abdel Nasser Road, Mombasa County, that begun sinking on 2nd April, 2025, endangering adjacent residential and commercial buildings," the notice read.
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Earlier Tuesday, the Mombasa County Government mandated the emergency evacuation of all residents and patients within a 1.2-kilometre radius surrounding the building.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that swift action was necessary to safeguard lives.
“We have reached a point of no return. A controlled demolition must happen, and this building will be brought down by the military. This decision has been made for the safety of the residents themselves. The order is clear: everyone within a 1.2-kilometre radius must evacuate," he said.
Nassir issued a warning to those within the affected area, urging them to stay away from schools, madrassas, mosques and workplaces.
“From 6 AM Wednesday, no one should be in the area. Stay away, do not go to work, and avoid mosques and schools nearby. We have already evacuated patients from Coast General to underline the seriousness of this situation,” he added.
The demolition will be carried out by the Kenya Defence Forces, who will also secure the blast zone.
Meanwhile, enforcement of the outer perimeter will be the responsibility of officers from the National Police Service and the County Inspectorate.
