- Kenya Railways says Governor Wamatangi’s demolished property sat on land reserved for a new railway line ahead of AFCON 2027
- The project includes a spur from Nairobi Central Station through Nyayo Stadium and Kibera to Talanta Sports City, aimed at easing fan movement
- The agency insists all encroachers were served notices and warns that illegal structures along the corridor will continue to be flattened
Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Kenya Railways has clarified the reason behind the demolition of Governor Kimani Wamatangi’s property in Nairobi.
Source: Twitter
In an official statement on Wednesday evening, January 14, the organization said the land where the Kiambu governor’s property was located is part of a large area where the railway will be built.
Why was Kimani Wamatangi’s property demolished?
According to Kenya Railways, the railway is expected to be built in preparation for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027, which Kenya will host together with Tanzania and Uganda.
Due to the popularity of the tournament and the anticipation of traffic, rail was necessary to facilitate movement.
To achieve this, the government plans to build a railway station near the Nyayo National Stadium and extend the push rail from Nairobi Central Station, passing through the stadium area and Kibera, to the Talanta Sports City Stadium.
According to Kenya Railways, the new railway is expected to provide travelers with a safe, reliable, and affordable transport option, ensuring smooth operations throughout the route.
In Kenya, the matches are scheduled to be held at Nyayo National Stadium, Talanta Sports City Stadium, and Moi International Sports Stadium in Kasarani. Nyayo National Stadium has been designated as the training venue for the tournament due to its central location.
For the foregoing, the land extending along the Nyayo Stadium will be released for the purpose of building the railway line.
Therefore, the property of Wamatangi will not be abandoned.
However, Kenya Railways said that all developers on the land were given notices to vacate.
To this end, all encroachers were advised and given timely notice to vacate the railway corridor to make way for the construction of the station and access road. Kenya Railways is in the process of removing all encroachers as we take over all the land that has been identified for the development mentioned above.
The organization emphasized that the demolition will continue to soften the properties built there illegally.
“Therefore, note that any illegal structures/property found in the corridor will be demolished and/or removed without further notice and at the risk and expense of the encroacher,” the agency added.
What Kimani Wamatangi said after his property was destroyed
Earlier, the Kiambu governor blamed his losses on his unnamed political critics.
He questioned what wrong he could have done to deserve such treatment. The head of the county claimed that the demolition was planned by individuals who use the power of the government to harass and intimidate him, adding that some of those involved were looking for his life.
And despite the claims of the Kenya Railways’ previous statement, Wamatangi said that no one was served before the demolition.
Source: Twitter
He complained that the persecution against him had continued for years, saying he had been politically intimidated at work and at home by people who misused government power.
The governor said he has been renting the property since 1994 and had paid the fees since then until today without fail.
He insisted that the tenancy was legal and that he had been working there legally for decades. He described the demolition as an act of cowardice meant to hinder his work as governor but insisted that it would not weaken his resolve.
According to him, bulldozers, accompanied by heavily armed police officers, invaded the area despite the existing court order.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
