NAIROBI, Kenya — Bulldozers, escorted by police, on Thursday night returned to the business premises linked to Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi along Douglas Wakiihuri Road, off Lang’ata Road, with fresh demolition work underway in a dispute that has sparked political controversy and public debate.
The initial demolition, carried out late Tuesday into early Wednesday, flattened structures housing businesses including a car wash, car yard, restaurant and other facilities on land near Nyayo Stadium.
Excavators and bulldozers, under tight police security, pulled down semi-permanent structures and damaged several vehicles on site.
Political Controversy and Claims of Persecution
Governor Wamatangi has condemned the demolition as politically motivated, accusing unnamed forces of using state machinery to intimidate and sabotage him.
He called the move “an act of cowardice” and claimed that government offices were being used to target him unjustly.
“Stop using government offices to ruin me. Stop using state offices to destroy my property and intimidate me. This is an act of cowardice,” Wamatangi told journalists, alleging repeated attempts to remove him from the Nairobi site without proper notice.
The governor also claimed the business, operated through his company, Superclean Shine Enterprises, was legally leased from the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) for more than 20 years, with rent reportedly paid and acknowledged by the corporation.
Bulldozers have returned to Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi’s business premises in Nairobi along Douglas Wakiihuri Road, off Langata Road, under police guard, with further demolition work now underway.
He argued a valid lease and a pending court matter should have protected the property.
Wamatangi’s legal team had moved to the Milimani Commercial Magistrates’ Court seeking protection from verbal threats of demolition, but the operation went ahead.
He denied being served formal eviction notices and maintained that due process was ignored.
Railways and Government Position
Kenya Railways has defended the demolition as part of a broader effort to reclaim public land along key railway corridors, saying a vacate notice was issued years ago and ignored.
The corporation insists the exercise was lawful, not selective or politically driven, and intended to clear space for future transport infrastructure, including developments tied to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) preparations.
Nairobi Police Command confirmed officers were deployed to secure the site and assist in enforcement after authorities said other legal and administrative avenues had been exhausted. No injuries were reported during the operation.
The demolition has drawn criticism beyond political circles.
The Kiambu Clergy Pastors Forum condemned the action as unlawful and harmful to livelihoods, arguing that many workers depended on the affected businesses for income and that proper written notices should have been served.
