Businesses linked to the Kiambu Governor along Douglas Wakiihiru road next to Nyayo Stadium, were demolished overnight
Businesses linked to Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi along Douglas Wakiihiru road next to Nyayo Stadium were demolished overnight on January 14, 2025./DOUGLAS OKIDDY
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi is facing scrutiny after
what officials describe as negligence and arrogance culminated in the demolition of
his business premises along Douglas Wakiihuri Road, off Lang’ata Road.
Kenya Railways has blamed the governor of allegedly ignoring a lawful
notice to vacate public land issued six years ago, leaving authorities with no
option but to reclaim the property through enforcement.
Kenya Railways has reiterated that the demolitions are not selective
or politically motivated, but part of a firm and lawful campaign to protect
public assets and pave the way for transformative development.
According to the corporation, the land—located along a
critical railway corridor near Nyayo and Talanta Stadiums—forms part of the
corporation’s legally protected reserve.
Wamatangi allegedly chose defiance, continuing to operate
businesses on the land in total disregard of the law and public interest.
The governor has, however, claimed political persecution
following the overnight demolition of his property.
“This is an act of cowardice. What happened here is all about politics,” he
said.
The overnight operation involved bulldozers and excavators,
escorted by police officers, that flattened semi-permanent structures on the
site.
Businesses affected included a car yard, a car wash, and a
restaurant, with several vehicles and other property damaged in the process.
By morning, the scale of destruction underscored what
officials termed as “avoidable losses.”
Debris littered the area, while sections of Douglas
Wakiihuri Road were temporarily closed, disrupting movement near the busy
corridor.
Nairobi Police Commander George Seda confirmed that officers
were deployed to provide security and assist Kenya Railways in repossessing the
land, stressing that the parastatal had exhausted all legal and administrative
channels.
“The management says they notified the owner of the property
to vacate, but there was resistance. We came in to help with the demolition,”
Seda said, adding that no injuries were reported.
Kenya Railways has strongly defended the operation,
describing it as part of a bold, disciplined and long-overdue recovery drive
aimed at reclaiming public land unlawfully occupied by private developers.
Under the leadership of Managing Director Philip Mainga, the
corporation has intensified efforts to repossess encroached land across the
country to unlock stalled development projects.
The reclaimed land along the Lang’ata corridor is said to be
earmarked for major railway infrastructure expansion linked to Talanta Stadium
and other developments that are expected to create thousands of jobs, boost
logistics efficiency, and stimulate economic growth.
“Public land must serve the public good, not individual
interests,” a senior Kenya Railways official said, noting that the recovery
programme is being carried out professionally, transparently and without fear
or favour.
Kenya Railways has reiterated that the demolitions are not
selective or politically motivated, but part of a firm and lawful campaign to
protect public assets and pave the way for transformative development.