Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi is facing intense scrutiny after what officials describe as blatant negligence and arrogance culminated in the forceful demolition of his business premises along Douglas Wakiihuri Road, off Lang’ata Road.
Kenya Railways has squarely blamed the governor for ignoring a lawful notice to vacate public land issued six years ago, leaving authorities with no option but to reclaim the property through enforcement.
According to Kenya Railways officials, the land—located along a critical railway corridor near Nyayo and Talanta Stadiums—forms part of the corporation’s legally protected reserve. Despite repeated notices, engagements and ample time to vacate, Wamatangi allegedly chose defiance, continuing to operate businesses on the land in total disregard of the law and public interest.
The result was a dramatic overnight operation involving bulldozers and excavators, escorted by police officers, that flattened semi-permanent structures on the site. Businesses affected included a car yard, a car wash and a restaurant, with several vehicles and other property damaged in the process.
By morning, the scale of destruction underscored what officials termed as “avoidable losses” brought about by stubborn non-compliance. Debris littered the area, while sections of Douglas Wakiihuri Road were temporarily closed, disrupting movement near the busy corridor.
Nairobi Police Commander George Seda confirmed that officers were deployed to provide security and assist Kenya Railways in repossessing the land, stressing that the parastatal had exhausted all legal and administrative channels.
“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.
Kenya Railways has strongly defended the operation, describing it as part of a bold, disciplined and long-overdue recovery drive aimed at reclaiming public land unlawfully occupied by private developers. Under the leadership of Managing Director Philip Mainga, the corporation has intensified efforts to repossess encroached land across the country to unlock stalled development projects.
Officials say the reclaimed land along the Lang’ata corridor is earmarked for major railway infrastructure expansion linked to Talanta Stadium and other developments that are expected to create thousands of jobs, boost logistics efficiency and stimulate economic growth.
“Public land must serve the public good, not individual interests,” a senior Kenya Railways official said, noting that the recovery programme is being carried out professionally, transparently and without fear or favour.
Kenya Railways has reiterated that the demolitions are not selective or politically motivated, but part of a firm and lawful campaign to protect public assets and pave the way for transformative development. In contrast, critics argue that Wamatangi’s failure to heed a six-year notice reflects poor judgment and reckless disregard for the rule of law—an expensive lesson with consequences now laid bare in rubble.
