CS Tuya Withdraws KDF Officers
Tuya stated the KDF’s role had officially ended now that the operation was complete.
Marvin Chege 
Defence Cabinet Secretary (CS) Soipan Tuya has called off the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers who were sent in to support the emergency demolition of a building in Mombasa’s Central Business District (CBD).
In a gazette notice dated May 9, Tuya stated the KDF’s role had officially ended now that the operation was complete.
The officers were involved in the country’s first-ever controlled demolition of an 11-storey building at Kilifi Corner, Fayaz Estate, on Abdel Nasser Road in Mombasa. The structure had started sinking on April 2, 2025.
"Pursuant to section 34 (3) (a) of the Kenya Defense Forces Act, notice is given that on the 9th April 2025, the Kenya Defence Forces discontinued its deployment in the responses to the emergency at the eleven-storeyed building situated at Kilifi Corner Fayaz Estate along Abdel Nasser Road, Mombasa County, that began sinking on 2nd April, 2025, endangering adjacent residential and commercial buildings," the notice read in part.
KDF officers on patrol in Nairobi CBD. /LARRY MADOWO
The controlled demolition, carried out on Wednesday, April 9, was prompted by serious safety concerns after locals flagged the building as a collapse risk.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir revealed the building’s foundation had been severely compromised due to unauthorised borehole drilling, with parts of the ground floor columns sinking nearly three meters.
After structural assessments, authorities ordered nearby residents to evacuate immediately, launching a multi-agency operation ahead of the demolition. CS Tuya announced the deployment of KDF troops to assist in the mission.
KDF personnel worked alongside the National Police Service (NPS) to protect residents and maintain order during the demolition.
CS Tuya defended the deployment, citing sections 31(1)(a), (c), and 34(2) of the Kenya Defence Forces Act, which authorise military support in civilian emergencies.
Vehicle owners on Mombasa Island were also asked to park at Mama Ngina and Ronald Ngala Grounds to avoid potential windshield damage.
Under Article 241(3)(c) of the Constitution and sections 31 and 33 of the KDF Act (2012), the military can be deployed in emergencies, like natural disasters, without prior approval, as long as the deployment is later reported to Parliament.
However, once such a mission ends or is no longer necessary, Section 34(3)(a) of the Act mandates that the Defence CS must officially end the deployment through a gazette notice.
The notice comes amidst KDF deployment in Nairobi, which was gazetted by Tuya's predecessor, Aden Duale, to support the NPS in restoring normalcy in the country at the height of the Gen Z-led protests on June 25, 2024.
In March 2025, Cabinet Secretary Tuya confirmed that the KDF deployment order issued in June 2024 is still in effect. She explained that the directive hasn't been revoked due to an ongoing court case challenging the move.
