Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi Decries Alleged Political Persecution After Demolition of Business Premises

Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has alleged sustained political persecution after his business premises near Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium were demolished in a heavily guarded operation on Tuesday night.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the governor said bulldozers escorted by hundreds of heavily armed police officers descended on the property without notice, leaving what he described as “everything in ruins,” despite the existence of a court order barring any such action.

Governor Wamatangi maintained that the land in question was legally leased and that all lease obligations had been met. He said he has operated the business on the premises since 1994 and has consistently complied with the terms of the lease agreement.

“This is not an isolated incident,” Wamatangi said, claiming that for the past three years he has been subjected to what he termed political terror, both at his workplace and at home, by individuals allegedly abusing state power.

According to the governor, the demolition is part of a broader effort aimed at obstructing his work as the Governor of Kiambu County. However, he insisted that the incident would not weaken his resolve to serve the people.

“The doers of this cowardly act intend to intimidate me and derail my leadership, but they will not succeed,” he said. “I leave everything to God.”

The authorities involved in the operation had not issued an official response by the time of publication. Efforts to seek clarification on the basis of the demolition and the alleged court order were ongoing.

The incident has sparked debate among political leaders and civil society groups, some of whom have called for transparency, adherence to the rule of law, and respect for court orders in the execution of state actions.