Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi is among property owners affected by a government drive to modernise Nairobi’s metro rail infrastructure city.
The governor’s property was hit on Tuesday night after the government began demolishing structures along the Nairobi–Kikuyu railway corridor to pave the way for rehabilitation of the metre-gauge railway line and construction of a mini station at Strathmore.
The operation targeted structures around Nyayo Stadium that had encroached on Kenya Railways land, obstructing ongoing rehabilitation works. The planned Strathmore Mini Station is expected to serve Nairobi West residents and improve mobility within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area.
ENCROACHMENT
The railway rehabilitation project, supported by the World Bank, covers the Nairobi–Mombasa metre-gauge line. Of the 23 planned mini stations, 21 have already been completed, with construction of the Madaraka and Strathmore stations set to begin after the clearance of encroachments.
During the demolition exercise, a high-end car wash and other properties linked to Governor Wamatangi were pulled down after being found to have encroached on the railway reserve. Several vehicles left overnight at the car wash were also destroyed.
Sources told Top News that Governor Wamatangi had been issued multiple eviction notices.
By Tuesday morning, debris and damaged structures were still visible, while access along sections of Douglas Wakiihuri Road remained restricted, disrupting movement.
RESISTANCE
The demolition was conducted near the railway line close to Nyayo Stadium, with police providing security as contractors carried out the exercise. Nairobi police boss George Seda said officers were deployed to support Kenya Railways in repossessing the land.
“The management says they notified the owner of the property to vacate, but there was resistance. We came in to assist with the demolition,” said Seda.
The incident came shortly after Governor Wamatangi, through his company, moved to court seeking protection from what he described as verbal threats of demolition.
COURT PETITION
In a petition filed at the Milimani Commercial Magistrates’ Court, he argued that the land belongs to Kenya Railways but has been leased to his company for more than 20 years, with rent allegedly paid and acknowledged throughout that period.
The petition claims that individuals said to be acting on behalf of Kenya Railways visited the premises in December and issued verbal notices to vacate without serving a formal eviction notice.
The application argues that such actions contravene constitutional protections on property rights and legal eviction procedures under the Land Act.
“Throughout this period, the applicant has duly paid rent which has been consistently received and acknowledged by the 1st respondent, thereby affirming a valid and subsisting tenancy,” the petition states.
Kenya Railways Corporation’s spokesperson Margaret Kawira said the politician had erected the structures on public land. She said Wamatangi had encroached on the agency’s land, thereby prompting eviction.
“The demolition will go all the way to Kibera and everywhere there is encroachment on our land,” Kawira said.
She said encroachment on the corridor has caused safety concerns and had interfered with railway operations.
