How KDF Brought Down 11-Storey Sinking Mombasa Building

During the demolition, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers were stationed inside the building's perimeter, while National Police Service (NPS) personnel were tasked with securing the surrounding area and preventing public access.

Viral Tea Ke Writer Viral Tea Ke Writer
Apr 9, 2025 - 18:40 Updated: Apr 9, 2025 - 18:43
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How KDF Brought Down 11-Storey Sinking Mombasa Building
Collage of the 11-storey building destroyed by KDF in Mombasa on April 9, 2025. /VIRAL TEA KE

On Wednesday, April 9, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) managed to successfully bring down a condemned storey building in Mombasa County, an 11-storey facility that was teetering on the brink of collapse after developing cracks in its foundation.

During the demolition, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers were stationed inside the building's perimeter, while National Police Service (NPS) personnel were tasked with securing the surrounding area and preventing public access.

In the hours leading up to the demolition, residents were advised to modify their travel routes, with evacuations ordered for nearby locals. Schools and hospitals in the vicinity were also temporarily shut down for safety.

The Nyali Bridge — connecting Mombasa Island to the mainland — was also shut down from both sides starting around 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Shortly after, a powerful single explosion echoed from a distance, marking the final phase of the demolition.

Mesmerised residents took videos of the demolition process and circulated them across social media platforms, from the moment the blast ripped through the peaceful atmosphere to when the building came crumbling down. Their wonder was valid as the KDF used controlled demolition to bring down the building — a method that has been common in developed countries but not in Kenya.

When old or unsafe buildings need to come down, cities don’t just rely on bulldozers and wrecking balls. Sometimes, they turn to an advanced method called a controlled demolition — a highly technical process where explosives are used to take down structures quickly, efficiently, and in a pre-planned direction.

But even with all the planning, controlled demolitions remain high-risk operations, which is why full public evacuations are mandatory before the blast. Viral Tea breaks down how this works — and why safety precautions are taken so seriously.

What Is a Controlled Demolition?

A controlled demolition is the intentional destruction of a building or structure using precisely placed and timed explosives. It’s often used for aging or structurally unsound buildings, structures damaged beyond repair (after earthquakes, fires, etc.) and clearing space for new developments in dense urban areas

The goal is to collapse the building inward onto its own footprint, minimizing damage to surrounding areas. This, however, requires detailed structural analysis by engineers, strategic placement of explosive charges at load-bearing points and split-second timing using digital detonators. 

Think of it like architectural reverse engineering — turning a building’s strongest points into its weakest.

Why Must Everyone Evacuate?

Even though it’s called “controlled,” a demolition is still an explosive event, and a lot can go wrong fast. For that reason, demolition zones are cleared and surrounding areas evacuated before detonation. Here's why:

1. Debris Hazard

Exploding concrete, steel beams, glass shards — all of it can become airborne. Even with protective barriers in place, debris can travel hundreds of feet and pose a serious risk to life.

2. Air Quality and Dust Clouds

Controlled demolitions release massive clouds of dust and particulate matter, which can include asbestos, lead, silica dust and other harmful toxins

Breathing that in is not safe, hence why residents and businesses are told to leave the area and keep windows closed.

3. Shockwaves and Structural Vibrations

Like any other explosion, the force from a blast can cause windows to shatter, cracks in nearby buildings and ground tremors that affect underground utilities. Keeping people away reduces the chance of injury from these secondary effects.

4. Unpredictable Failures

Even with flawless planning, things can go sideways. Structures may tilt unexpectedly, debris may fall beyond the safety zone, or wind may carry dust clouds in unplanned directions.

That’s why demolition companies and local authorities always build in large safety buffers and enforce strict evacuation protocols.

How Are Evacuation Zones Determined?

Evacuation zones are mapped based on building height and mass, surrounding population density, projected debris radius, weather conditions (especially wind) and the type of explosives being used

In some cases, entire neighborhoods may be cleared, and traffic rerouted. It’s all about ensuring zero casualties, because there are no “redo” buttons with explosives.

Controlled demolitions are engineering marvels, but they carry real dangers. That’s why public safety comes first, and mandatory evacuations are non-negotiable.

Even if it looks like a smooth, cinematic takedown from the outside, what’s happening is a highly explosive chain reaction designed to bring down tons of material in seconds. When it’s time to clear the zone, you are advised to listen to officials, grab your essentials, and get to a safe distance. 

It’s not panic — it’s protocol.

A photo of the Mombasa building demolished on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. /KENYA DEFENCE FORCES

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