Francis Gaitho, has openly questioned the overnight demolition of businesses linked to Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi near Nyayo Stadium, describing the incident as a planned and controlled operation rather than a surprise enforcement action.
His remarks came as details emerged about how excavators and bulldozers moved into the area under police protection and flattened several structures along Douglas Wakiihuri Road in Nairobi.
The demolition happened during the night of January 13, 2026. By the time day broke, a car yard, a car wash, and a restaurant had been reduced to debris. Several vehicles were damaged in the process, and parts of the road were temporarily blocked by rubble.
Police officers were present throughout the operation, securing the area as the machinery carried out the work. Government officials later explained that the clearance was necessary to make way for a new train station meant to connect the central business district to Nyayo Stadium and the upcoming Talanta Raila Stadium.
Gaitho shared his views through a post on X, formerly Twitter, where he claimed the demolition was not random. He said the operation appeared controlled and suggested it was coordinated at a high level.
According to him, the timing and execution raised questions, especially because Governor Wamatangi, who lives in Nairobi, arrived at the scene about nine hours after the demolition had begun. Gaitho argued that this delay was deliberate and meant to allow time for a media setup, including supporters and bloggers who were ready to record the visit.
In his claims, Gaitho went further to allege that the situation was being used to create a specific public image. He said the demolition itself was real but argued that the way it was presented was misleading.
He alleged that only selected vehicles were damaged while others remained intact, claiming this could allow for insurance claims on destroyed cars and the resale of undamaged ones. He also suggested that the incident was being used to attract public sympathy and shift attention away from other issues linked to the governor, including a past land dispute in Thika.
Gaitho described the entire situation as carefully arranged and warned Kenyans not to be misled by what he called staged drama.
Governor Wamatangi visited the site later that morning to assess the damage. He strongly condemned the demolition and described it as political persecution aimed at intimidating him ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He stated that he had been leasing the land from Kenya Railways since the 1990s and said the lease had run for over 40 years. He questioned why political interests should interfere with businesses that support livelihoods.
Wamatangi explained that the demolished businesses employed many young people and said the sudden operation destroyed jobs without warning. He expressed concern about the impact on workers and business owners who depended on the site for their daily income. He described the losses as painful and said such actions create fear and uncertainty among investors.
This was not the first time properties associated with Wamatangi in the area had been affected. In 2019, a similar demolition targeted a car bazaar and car wash at the same location. At the time, authorities said the land belonged to Kenya Railways and had been illegally occupied. The land has remained disputed for years, with claims and counterclaims over ownership and lease agreements.
Nairobi police confirmed that officers were deployed to provide security during the operation and said their role was to support the repossession of land for the railway project.
They did not comment on any political motivations behind the demolition. Kenya Railways has maintained that the clearance is necessary for infrastructure development, especially projects linked to public transport.
