Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi Claims Politics Is Behind Nyayo Stadium Demolitions
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has alleged that the demolition of several businesses linked to him near Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium was politically motivated, claiming the move was intended to intimidate him and derail his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial race.
The governor spoke on Wednesday morning after visiting the demolition site along Douglas Wakiihiru Road, behind Nyayo Stadium, where bulldozers and excavators flattened multiple commercial premises under heavy police presence. The operation, which began in the early hours of the day, targeted properties reportedly earmarked for clearance to pave way for an upcoming infrastructure project.
Addressing journalists at the scene, Wamatangi maintained that he was the legitimate owner of the demolished businesses and described the operation as an act of political persecution rather than a lawful enforcement exercise.
“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.
He insisted that the demolitions were part of a broader scheme to distract him from delivering services to Kiambu residents and to push him out of active politics. Despite the setback, the governor vowed to press on with his political plans.
“If you want to be the Governor of Kiambu, you should come to the people and not through intimidation. I won’t be intimidated, and I will vie for the governorship without fear or favour,” he added.
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that police officers fired live bullets into the air and used teargas to disperse crowds and secure the demolition area. The heavy security deployment restricted access to the site as machinery moved in to bring down car yards, a car wash, restaurants, and other commercial establishments, some of which were said to be worth millions of shillings.
Wamatangi claimed he received intelligence about the planned demolitions but was unable to visit the area in the early hours due to reports of gunfire.
“I was told shots were being fired. I feared for my life because those bullets could have been targeting me,” he said.
The governor further revealed that he holds a 65-year lease from Kenya Railways for the land on which the businesses stood, adding that he had been paying rent consistently without default.
“I have a valid lease, and I pay rent every month. There has never been an issue of non-payment,” he stated.
On whether any formal eviction or demolition notice had been issued prior to the exercise, Wamatangi flatly denied receiving any communication from authorities, challenging those behind the operation to provide proof.
“I can tell you for sure that there was never even one single day of notice. If there was a notice, let them produce it,” he said.
Reflecting on his long association with the area, the governor recounted his journey from humble beginnings to business ownership.
“I started working here in 1994, washing cars and eventually selling them. I have nurtured myself in this area, taking a lease that I pay for each month. Everything that has happened today is political,” he added.
Despite his strong remarks, Wamatangi said he would not seek revenge, noting that he would pursue justice through legal and peaceful means while leaving the matter “in God’s hands.”
Authorities overseeing the demolitions have yet to issue a detailed public statement addressing the governor’s claims, including questions around ownership, notices, and compensation. Meanwhile, the incident has reignited debate over land use, enforcement procedures, and the intersection of politics and development projects in Nairobi.
As dust settles at the Nyayo Stadium demolition site, attention is now likely to shift to whether legal challenges will follow and how the controversy may shape the political landscape heading into the next election cycle.
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Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi Claims Politics Is Behind Nyayo Stadium Demolitions
