Controlled Demolition in Kilifi for a 11 storey building: A Crisis Averted, but Questions Remain
In a historic operation on Wednesday afternoon, the Kenyan Defense Forces carried out the country’s first-ever controlled demolition, bringing down an 11-story building at Kilifi Corner. The structure, which began to sink and tilt last week, had posed a significant public safety risk, prompting urgent action from authorities.
The demolition was executed successfully, with no casualties reported during the operation. A safety perimeter of 1.2 kilometers was established, covering critical facilities including Coast General Hospital, Marikiti Market, and Nyali Bridge. Traffic on the bridge was temporarily disrupted as a precaution.
Tragically, Yusuf Ali Abdi lost his life last week following the collapse of a fresh wall near the site. In response to the incident, the county government has suspended several inspectors linked to the project and assured the public that Coast General Hospital will reopen on Friday.
Footage of the demolition showed a thick cloud of smoke rising from the site, as glass, debris, and dust filled the vacuum where the building once stood. For residents who had to evacuate their homes and abandon their livelihoods, the moment marked both relief and heartbreak.
“This was done in the interest of preserving human life,” Architect Lawrence Gitau AG secretary, NAT’L building inspectorate said. But the impact on the community is far from over livelihoods have been disrupted, property damaged, and families displaced.
“If there’s any neighbor still grieving, let us address it humanely, “Irshad Sumra a contractor in charge of the site appealed. “My own relatives are in hospital. If anyone has been hurt, it’s the developers who should be held responsible.”
Architect Lawrence Gitau AG secretary, NAT’L building inspectorate claims that the building was initially approved for six floors then extended to 11 floors. This is due to lack of supervision of an engineer while the construction is ongoing therefore this led to compromising of the soils where the building seats.
Irshad Sumra the contractor, appealed that he is not to be threatened by any institution of the government and went ahead to claim that this was not due to structural inadequacy but rather unexpected technical shift beyond human foresight and control.
The county governor Mombasa, Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir set out a time line of two weeks for a task force established to investigate the circumstances leading to the demolition to make recommendations and approval for building extensions suspended pending verification.
The contractor of the particular site, engineer and architect who were involved in theis construction stands suspended until the verification is confirmed until all what was agreed upon is what is actually on the ground they are set to be sent on compulsory leave to ensure accountability.
As the dust settles, public demand for accountability continues to rise. The county government now shifts its focus to supporting those affected and ensuring that such incidents are never repeated.