Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir has reassured the public of the safety of surrounding infrastructure as preparations continue for the demolition of a sinking 11-storey building.
Speaking on the matter, Governor Nassir emphasized that the nearby Nyali Bridge, which will be temporarily closed during the operation, is not at risk. “The structure of the bridge will not be affected. The bridge is firm and from our calculations, it will not be affected. This is a very calculated demolition,” he stated.
The governor also noted that homes and businesses in the vicinity would remain intact, as the demolition—led by the Kenya Defence Forces—is designed to be highly targeted and controlled. “We have done whatever needs to be done and we are just asking everyone nearby to vacate. Staying nearby will harm your body, your ears could also be damaged by the noise,” he added.
Governor Nassir explained that the demolition team took ample time to assess risks and ensure all necessary safety measures were in place before proceeding. Due to the sensitive nature of the task, nearby residents and businesses have been urged to vacate as a precaution.
On Tuesday, Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya officially gazetted the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces to spearhead the operation, which is expected to take approximately eight hours.
