Governor Wamatangi condemns overnight demolition of businesses near Nyayo Stadium

Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has condemned an overnight demolition that flattened several business premises linked to him along Douglas Wakiihuri Road near Nyayo Stadium.

He described it as unlawful and destructive to livelihoods.

“We have assessed the damage here and it runs in millions and millions of shillings. What wrong have I done?” Governor Wamatangi posed.

He said that together with his lawyers, they are going to seek justice from the courts and that “if I don't get justice, I will come here in company of the clergy and I will fast for 40 days.”

The demolition, carried out in the early hours of Wednesday, involved excavators and bulldozers escorted by police officers who pulled down semi‑permanent structures and damaged property, including vehicles and business installations, according to multiple media reports.

Among the structures destroyed were a car yard, a car wash facility, a restaurant and other small business installations, leaving debris and damaged vehicles strewn along the road by morning.

Speaking after the exercise, witnesses described how police officers patrolled the site and, in some cases, discharged shots into the air to disperse crowds.

“Police officers came here around 3 a.m. in large numbers and disrupted everything. They started chasing people,” said Maggie Wambui.

Governor Wamatangi has said the properties belong to his company, Superclean Shine Enterprises, which has operated on the land for more than two decades under a lease from Kenya Railways Corporation.

In a petition to Milimani Commercial Magistrates’ Court, he argued that rent had been paid consistently and acknowledged by the state agency, affirming a valid tenancy on the premises.

The governor’s court filing states that individuals said to be acting on behalf of Kenya Railways verbally threatened eviction and demolition in December 2025, without issuing a formal written notice as required under the Land Act and constitutional protections for property rights and fair administrative action.

Police and contractors carried out the demolition under tight security, and Nairobi police boss George Seda said officers were present to support Kenya Railways in repossession of the land.

He noted that there were no injuries reported during the exercise.

The demolition has disrupted movement along the road and adjacent Lang'ata Road with debris visible as business owners and workers assessed their losses.

This is the second demolition of the same site, with a similar exercise having taken place in 2019 under comparable circumstances.