Emotional Governor Wamatangi breaks silence after demolition of his business premises near Nyayo Stadium
By Joel Masibo, January 14, 2026Kiambu County Governor Kimani Wamatangi has broken his silence after his business property along Douglas Wakiiru Road in Nairobi, previously known as Aerodrome Road, near Nyayo National Stadium, was destroyed early Tuesday, January 14, 2026.
The crackdown primarily targeted car wash facilities owned by Wamatangi and food outlets situated along the corridor, with the area being cleared for the construction of a train station linking the Nairobi Central Business District to Nyayo Stadium and Talanta Stadium along Ngong Road.
Speaking on the demolitions, Governor Kimani Wamatangi linked the heavy losses to politics after his carpet cleaning and carwash business was brought down in the overnight exercise.
Humble start
”Mungu habagui, na yeye ndiye anajua njia ya kila mtu, tena yeye ndiye hupeana baraka. Mimi nilianza kazi hapa mwaka wa 1994 nikiwa kijana mdogo. Nilikuwa nauza mandazi na chai ng’ambo hiyo. Nikakuja hapa nikaanza kuosha magari. Baada ya kuosha magari nikapanda ngazi kidogo nikaanza kuuza hayo magari,” Wamatangi said.
The Kiambu County boss further revealed that he has been operating in the same area for decades without disturbance while paying lease fees to the Kenya Railways.
”Nimejilelea hapa kutoka nilikuwa kijana, na wakati nilikuja hapa nilienda mpaka kule kwa watu wa Railways, nikachukua lease ya 25. Huwa ninalipa kila mwezi. Haya mambo yametokea leo ni mipango ya siasa. I’m asking myself, when will these political persecutions end for me? I have employed many young people for all those years. I am sorry to small-scale traders who have incurred losses,” he added.
Politics
Wamatangi further said he will bounce back strong after the massive setback: ”They have done this to me, but I still have hands and brains. I choose work over politics.”
The demolished structures are thought to have been erected on land belonging to Kenya Railways. However, authorities had not released an official explanation by the time this report was filed.
Images circulating on social media on Tuesday morning revealed widespread destruction, including damage to several vehicles. Distraught traders were seen sifting through debris, attempting to recover any salvageable property as they took stock of the damage.
Movement within the area was also severely disrupted after access roads were barricaded using heavy machinery and stones, effectively cutting off entry to the affected section. Several properties, including multiple vehicles, were severely damaged during an overnight demolition exercise.