Alai Tells Wamatangi to Vacate Disputed Nyayo Stadium Land as Demolition Sparks Contempt Claims

Kileleshwa MCA in Nairobi, Robert Alai, has dismissed Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi’s protest over the demolition of business premises linked to him near Nyayo National Stadium, insisting the governor must vacate what he described as public land earmarked for key national infrastructure.

In several posts on his X account (formerly Twitter), Alai argued that influential individuals often expect protection for businesses erected on disputed land, even when such developments interfere with major public projects.

“Influential supporters of ruling regimes expect their illegally erected businesses protected even if it interferes with national infrastructure development,” Alai wrote.

He maintained that the corridor behind Nyayo Stadium must be cleared to pave way for projects linked to the upcoming Talanta Stadium, also referred to as Raila Odinga International Stadium and the supporting transport system expected to connect it to the Nyayo complex.

“That corridor must be cleared for Raila Odinga/Talanta Stadium to function. A railway station linking Nyayo Stadium to Raila Odinga International Stadium must be built,” he added, concluding: “Pure nonsense. That’s public land.”

Alai also took aim at the Kiambu Clergy Pastors Forum, led by General Secretary Prince Eliud, which condemned the demolition. In his X post, he dismissed the clerics’ position, branding them “tribalists,” despite being men of the cloth.

The remarks come amid heightened public debate after an overnight demolition exercise carried out by the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) on the night of Tuesday, January 13, into the early hours of Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

The operation targeted premises associated with Governor Wamatangi along Douglas Wakiihuri Road (formerly Aerodrome Road), off Lang’ata Road, behind Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. Excavators and bulldozers flattened structures including a car wash, carpet-cleaning business, a restaurant and other facilities. Several vehicles were also reportedly damaged or destroyed during the raid.

Police officers were deployed heavily to secure the area, with reports indicating teargas was used to disperse crowds, and claims that live bullets were fired as officers moved to contain the situation during the midnight operation.

Governor Wamatangi has strongly condemned the demolition, describing it as politically motivated and an act intended to intimidate him and distract him from his work in Kiambu County.

“This is persecution… an act of cowardice,” the governor said, insisting he had lawfully occupied the land and had been paying rent to Kenya Railways over the years.

Wamatangi claims he has held a lease for the property for over four decades, stating that his investment started as a car wash and later expanded into several businesses. He further said he signed a 65-year lease agreement with Kenya Railways and has never defaulted on rent payments.

According to the governor, no formal written notice was served prior to the demolition, and he only began receiving verbal threats around December 17, 2025.

He said he filed a petition at the Milimani Commercial Magistrates’ Court seeking to stop any interference with the premises, with the matter scheduled for hearing soon after. However, the demolition went on overnight despite the pending case.

Kenya Railways, on its part, maintains that the demolition was neither selective nor politically driven. As reported, the corporation says the exercise was part of a wider effort to reclaim encroached public land for development projects, describing the occupation as defiant and in disregard of the law.

The incident has now taken a legal twist, with Kenya Railways CEO Phillip Mainga, Attorney General Dorcas Oduor and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja reportedly facing possible jail time over contempt of court allegations. The claims stem from assertions that the demolition proceeded despite a court order or an active case prohibiting interference with the premises.

This was not the first demolition at the same site. Reports indicate a similar exercise was carried out in 2019, which was also contested in court as unlawful.

On Wednesday, January 14, Governor Wamatangi visited the scene accompanied by religious leaders who held prayers at the rubble-strewn site. He said he would pursue justice through legal channels while remaining focused on delivering services to the people of Kiambu.

He also expressed sympathy for tenants and workers who lost their source of income following the demolition.