NAIROBI, Kenya- Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has protested the demolition of several business premises linked to him near Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, describing the move as a “political witch‑hunt.”
The overnight operation on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning saw excavators and bulldozers flatten businesses along Douglas Wakiihiru Road, destroying structures including car wash facilities, car yards, restaurants, and other commercial outlets, leaving debris and damaged vehicles in its wake.
Accompanied by a heavy police presence, the demolition exercise drew sharp criticism from Wamatangi, who said he has legally leased the land from Kenya Railways for more than two decades and consistently paid rent.
“I began here as a small boy selling tea and mandazis and rose to establish the business that was here. What has happened is purely political and intended to silence me and intimidate me,” Wamatangi said.
Wamatangi reiterated that no formal notice was issued prior to the demolition and challenged authorities to produce any written eviction orders if they existed.
This is political witch-hunt, Governor Wamatangi says following demolition of his properties worth millions in Nairobi
He also pointed to a pending court petition lodged at Milimani Commercial Magistrates’ Court seeking to halt demolition and eviction, based on his claim of a valid and subsisting lease.
The governor argued the demolitions form part of a broader pattern of political persecution intended to distract him from his development agenda in Kiambu County and possibly sideline him ahead of future elections.
According to eyewitness accounts, police fired live rounds and deployed teargas as the operation unfolded.
Affected business owners have condemned the exercise, claiming differential treatment and loss of livelihoods, while authorities have linked the clear‑out to planned infrastructure projects in the area.
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi visits his demolished business premises along Douglas Wakihuri Road behind Nyayo Stadium. Video by Benard Orwongo.
Details on formal approvals and notices remain unclear.
The incident adds to a series of controversies surrounding Governor Wamatangi, who has previously described other legal and administrative actions against him as politically motivated.
