Kenya Railways explains demolition of Wamatangi’s businesses near Nyayo Stadium

The Kenya Railways Corporation has defended the demolition of businesses near Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, saying the move is part of a land repossession process aimed at easing transport ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

On Tuesday night, bulldozers demolished several properties, including a restaurant and car wash belonging to Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, as well as other businesses such as liquor outlets and beauty salons, in an operation supervised by security officers who patrolled the area.

In a subsequent statement released on Wednesday, the State corporation revealed plans to construct a railway station adjacent to Nyayo National Stadium and a railway spur line from the Nairobi Central station through Nyayo National Stadium area, Kibera, to Talanta Sports City Stadium to ease movement during the AFCON tournament.

The corporation stated that all encroachers of the said land were issued with notices in advance to vacate the railway corridor to pave way for the construction of the station and spur line. 

"Kenya Railways is in the process of evicting all encroachers as we repossess all the land that has been identified for the above mentioned development," read part of the statement. 

"Therefore, take note that any illegal structures/property found on the corridor will be demolished and/or removed without further notice and at the encroacher's risk and cost."

Following the demolition, Wamatangi visited the site and termed the move as “political persecution.”

"I started here in 1994 washing cars. Then I started selling cars. I have been here for years. When I took this premise, I took a 65-year lease for this property from Kenya Railways. I have been faithfully paying the fees for all those years," he stated. 

Flanked by religious leaders, he questioned why Kenya Railways demolished the property despite him possessing a court order. 

Reports indicate that Wamatangi had filed a petition at the Milimani Commercial Magistrates’ Courts before the demolition, claiming the property had been leased from Kenya Railways for more than two decades.

He, however, noted that officers acting on behalf of Kenya Railways visited the premises on December 17, 2025, and threatened to evict him without providing a written notice. 

In the petition, Wamatangi had sought an order to stop the planned demolition.