Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi is facing criticism after a midnight demolition operation brought down his business premises along Douglas Wakiihuri Road, off Lang’ata Road, with Kenya Railways insisting the destruction was long overdue.
According to Kenya Railways and security officials, the governor had been issued with a notice to vacate the land six years ago but blatantly ignored repeated demands, forcing authorities to move in and reclaim the property.
The land, located along the railway corridor near Nyayo Stadium, is said to be part of Kenya Railways’ reserve that had been invaded by private investors.
The overnight operation involved excavators and bulldozers escorted by police officers, who demolished semi-permanent structures at the site. Several businesses were affected, including a car yard, a car wash facility and a restaurant. Vehicles and other property within the premises were also damaged in the exercise.
By morning, debris and wreckage were still visible as sections of Douglas Wakiihuri Road remained inaccessible, disrupting movement in the area.
The demolition was conducted close to the railway line, with police maintaining tight security as contractors carried out the clearance.
Nairobi Police Commander George Seda said officers were deployed to support Kenya Railways in repossessing the land, noting that the agency had followed due process over the years.
“The management says they notified the owner of the property to vacate, but there was resistance. We came in to help in the demolition,” Seda said, adding that no injuries were reported.
Officials maintained that the operation is part of a wider Kenya Railways exercise to recover all land encroached on by private developers, particularly along key railway corridors.
The reclaimed land is expected to play a critical role in planned developments linked to the railway infrastructure near Talanta Stadium.
Kenya Railways has reiterated that the demolitions are not selective, but part of a sustained effort to repossess public land that has been unlawfully occupied despite longstanding notices to vacate.