Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi on Wednesday linked the overnight demolition of his multibillion-shilling business premises near Nyayo National Stadium to sustained political persecution.
However, Kenya Railways maintains that the property stood on land that has been earmarked for a major commuter rail project ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will make history by co-hosting Africa’s biggest football show for the first time in 2027.
Bulldozers flattened the business premises along Douglas Wakiihuri Road on Tuesday night as hundreds of heavily armed police officers stood guard. In the twinkling of an eye, a decades-long investment was reduced to rubble.
The operation occurred barely 24 hours after a Nairobi court barred Kenya Railways from evicting business owners and demolishing property.
Some of the vehicles which were destroyed during an overnight demolition guarded by police officers on a business property alleged to be linked to Governor Wamatangi.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation
The Commandant of the Railways and Port Police Unit, Mr Geoffrey Mayek, oversaw the demolition, which left tens of people jobless.
Standing amid the ruins, Mr Wamatangi said the demolition was the latest episode in “a three-year campaign of intimidation” against him.
“When will this persecution against me end? What have I done to deserve this? I need an answer. For the past three years, I have been politically terrorised — both at work and at home — by individuals exploiting State powers,” the governor said.
Mr Wamatangi said that the demolition was carried out without notice, and in defiance of a court order barring any action on the property.
“Last night, bulldozers and hundreds of heavily armed police officers raided my business premises near Nyayo Stadium and left everything in ruins. There was no notice. We had a court order. The land was legally leased to us, and we have been dutifully paying the lease as per the agreement. I have been operating here since 1994,” he said.
An emotional Mr Wamatangi traced his journey back to modest beginnings and how he built the business that had been destroyed.
“I started off by washing cars here in 1994. Then I began selling cars. I have built this business for the last 40 years. I took a lease for 65 years from Kenya Railways. I have been paying the required fees faithfully for all those years," the governor said.
Mr Wamatangi said that many families have affected by the demolition, and apologised to the tenants and workers whose livelihoods were destroyed.
The governor said that he had received warnings in recent days that an attack on his property was imminent.
Some of the vehicles which were destroyed during an overnight demolition guarded by police officers on a business property alleged to be linked to Governor Wamatangi.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation
Court filings show that the dispute centres on Superclean Shine Enterprises Limited, which operates on Plot No. 209/1618 along Douglas Wakiihuri Road. The firm has sued Kenya Railways Corporation and the Attorney-General. The company sought legal intervention in December 2025 after railway officials allegedly issued verbal eviction threats without a written notice.
According to court documents, the firm was informed about the demolition that was scheduled for December 22, 2025. A magistrate’s court issued orders restraining Kenya Railways, its agents or affiliates from evicting, dispossessing or interfering with the property pending the hearing and determination of the dispute.
Ms Faith Wambui, a director of Superclean Shine, submitted bank deposit slips for rent payment from September to December 2025.
Evelyn Oside wails as she recounts her losses after an overnight demolition destroyed the home she had lived in for more than 16 years in Mariguini, South B, on January 13, 2026.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
Witnesses and managers at the site described a tense stand-off that lasted several hours before the premises was torn down.
Mr Festus Inyambukho, the manager of Supershine Carpet Cleaning Limited — a business owned by the governor — said that police officers arrived at around 8pm.
“We had a court order stopping any demolitions on this property. For the better part of the night, we managed to contain the situation. However, the stand-off escalated between 2am and 3am when fresh reinforcement was sent,” Mr Inyambukho said.
The manager said that the officers overpowered the workers and security guards. He also said that some property was stolen.
Mr Maxwell Yago, who worked in a garage at the premises, said that their source of income had been wiped out.
“The government says that it wants to create employment opportunities, but here they are destroying livelihoods,” he said.
In a statement, Kenya Railways defended the demolition. It said that the land was part of a railway reserve required for infrastructure projects linked to Afcon 2027 tournament.
Some of the vehicles which were destroyed during an overnight demolition guarded by police officers on a business property alleged to be linked to Governor Wamatangi.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation
“Following a successful bid to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, the Government of Kenya is making requisite preparations to host a successful tournament,” the statement said.
Kenya Railways said that Nyayo National Stadium had been designated as an operational and training centre and that the government planned to construct a railway station adjacent to the stadium, as well as a spur line from Nairobi Central Station through the Nyayo Stadium area, Kibera and on to Talanta Sports City.
“To this end, all encroachers were advised and issued with notices in good time to vacate the railway corridor,” the statement said, warning that illegal structures would be demolished without further notice.
Kenya Railways has not explained why it proceeded with the demolition despite the court order. Superclean Shine is seeking contempt charges against those responsible and further protective orders from the court.
The demolition is part of a wider wave of evictions in Nairobi, as the government clears land for infrastructure and housing projects.
In South B’s Mariguini area, more than 5,000 families were displaced this week to pave the way for an Affordable Housing Project. Some residents said they received Sh30,000 from the government, while others said that they were threatened and forced out by goons.
For Ms Mary Mbone Seneka, Mariguini has been home for more than 30 years. “I don’t know where to go,” she said. “They demolished my house, and I have been left with nothing.”
Ms Purity Wairimu, a community health promoter, said the demolitions disrupted care for elderly and vulnerable patients.
A view of what is left of businesses that were demolished overnight along Douglas Wakiihuri Road in Nairobi, which are linked to Governor Wamatangi.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation
“They should have given us more time to move our patients,” she said. “Some are now sleeping in the cold.
Residents’ advocates said the evictions violate court orders requiring compensation frameworks to be agreed upon before displacement. The matter will be mentioned in court on January 28.
