Wamatangi: Politics behind demolition of my businesses

Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has alleged that enforcement actions that led to the demolition of his businesses in January were politically motivated and intended to compel him to align with certain interests and allow the misuse of county resources.

Speaking in Thika town during the commissioning of solar-powered streetlights and upgraded hospital wards, Wamatangi said he would not be intimidated or subjected to political blackmail, insisting that his focus remains on delivering development projects to residents.

He said his leadership was anchored in accountability to voters, not to political actors.

“Let me tell you, the way you respected and gave me the job as a governor, I must return the respect. My respect to the Kiambu residents is to do the work you told me to. I don’t want to be loved by other leaders and not even those who elected me,” he said.

Wamatangi said leaders should remain accountable to the electorate, warning against prioritising political approval over service delivery.

“I don’t want to be loved by other leaders and not even those who elected me. I want to respect those who elected me and gave me work. If I take all your property to please other people so they can say I’m an important person, that is not love, it is a curse,” he said.

Earlier, the governor inspected ongoing rehabilitation works on the Kimbo–Matangi–Ini Road in Theta ward, Juja subcounty, where the county government has stepped in to improve road accessibility pending planned tarmacking by the national government.

He also toured the Juja Township slip road in Kalimoni Ward, which has been rehabilitated to ease traffic congestion in Juja town.

The projects form part of the county’s wider infrastructure programme, including the ongoing rollout of solar-powered streetlights under the Angaza Kiambu initiative in Thika Township and Hospital Ward in Thika Sub-County.

In January, Governor Wamatangi counted 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.