Midnight Demolition Leaves Wamatangi Counting Losses as Court Bid Falters

By Brian Kiprono - Reporter

Kenya, 14 January 2026 - Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi is assessing heavy losses after his business premises near Nyayo Stadium were flattened in a dramatic overnight operation, even as a court case challenging the planned demolition awaited hearing.

Excavators and bulldozers, escorted by heavily armed police officers, moved in shortly after midnight on Tuesday and brought down two semi-permanent structures along Douglas Wakiihuri Road off Lang’ata Road. Vehicles, a car wash, a restaurant and other property at the site were also destroyed, leaving debris strewn across the area by morning.

The operation disrupted movement after part of Douglas Wakiihuri Road was blocked, while dozens of workers who depended on the premises for their livelihoods were left stranded. Mechanics, carpet cleaners, car washers and shop attendants who earned daily wages at the site woke up to find their workplaces reduced to rubble.

The demolitions came days after Governor Wamatangi, through his company Superclean Shine Enterprises, moved to court seeking protection from what he described as “verbal threats” to evict him and demolish the property.

In a petition filed at the Milimani Commercial Magistrates’ Court, Wamatangi stated that the land belongs to Kenya Railways Corporation and has been leased to him for more than 20 years. He told the court that rent had been paid consistently throughout that period and acknowledged by the corporation.

“Throughout this period, the Applicant has duly paid rent which has been consistently received and/or acknowledged by the 1st Respondent (Kenya Railways Corporation), thereby affirming a valid and subsisting tenancy under which the Applicant has established and continuously operated a business on the premises with the knowledge and acquiescence of the 1st Respondent,” the petition reads.

More from Kenya

Somalia Confirms UAE Transported Yemeni Secessionist Through Mogadishu

Government Allocates KSh 6 Billion to Combat Drought In 20 Counties

According to the court documents, the governor claimed that on or around December 17, 2025, individuals alleged to be acting on behalf of Kenya Railways visited the premises and issued verbal eviction threats. He said they warned that the structures would be demolished by December 22, 2025, or at any time thereafter, without issuing a written eviction notice or following due process.

“The actions and threats of the 1st Respondent violate the Applicant’s rights to property and to fair administrative action as guaranteed under Articles 40 and 47 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, and are in contravention of the mandatory procedural requirements under the Land Act, Cap 280 Laws of Kenya,” the petition further states.

Wamatangi had asked the court to halt any eviction or demolition pending a hearing. The matter was scheduled to be heard at the Milimani Commercial Court this week, but the overnight demolition went ahead before the case could be determined.