Governor Wamatangi businesses near Nyayo Stadium demolished

Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi is counting losses after a midnight demolition operation saw excavators and bulldozers, accompanied by police officers, move into his business premises along Douglas Wakiihuri Road off Lang’ata Road and pull down semi-permanent structures, along with vehicles and other property at the site.

Several businesses and installations, including a car yard, a car wash facility, and a restaurant, were affected in the overnight exercise.

By morning, debris and damaged structures were still visible, and access along sections of Douglas Wakiihuri Road was restricted, disrupting movement.

The exercise was conducted near the railway line close to Nyayo Stadium, with police providing security as contractors carried out the demolitions.  

Security was tight during the demolition, and police cordoned off the area as the exercise proceeded. Nairobi police boss George Seda said officers were present to support Kenya Railways in repossessing the land as part of an ongoing exercise.

He said no injuries were reported.

“The management says they notified the owner of the property to vacate, but there was resistance. We came in to help in the demolition,” said Seda.

Officials indicated that the clearance relates to plans involving the railway corridor near Talanta Stadium.

The incident came shortly after Governor Wamatangi, through his company, moved to court seeking protection from what he termed as verbal threats of demolition.

In a petition filed before the Milimani Commercial Magistrates’ Court, he argued that the land in question belongs to Kenya Railways and has been leased to his company for more than 20 years, with rent allegedly paid and acknowledged during that period.

The petition claims that individuals said to be acting on behalf of Kenya Railways visited the premises in December and allegedly issued verbal notices to vacate, without serving a formal eviction notice.

The application argues that such action would contravene the constitutional right to property and legal eviction procedures under the Land Act.

"Throughout this period, the Applicant has duly paid rent which has been consistently received and/or acknowledged by the 1st Respondent (Kenya Railways Corporation), thereby affirming a valid and subsisting tenancy under which the Applicant has established and continuously operated a business on the premises with the knowledge and acquiescence of the 1st Respondent," the petition adds.

The case had been scheduled for hearing at the Milimani Commercial Court on Monday, January 12, 2026.

There was no immediate formal response from Governor Wamatangi regarding the latest development, although aides close to him suggested the action may be politically motivated — a claim that had not been independently verified at the time of publication.